I grind my teeth, which is better? Crown or Implant
Q. Hi there Over about 20 years I have had endless fillings in my lower 5th tooth back from the middle which whilst flossing 2 months ago finally disintigrated leaving enough route apparently for route canal treatment and a crown according to two detists. However the first private dentist advised a dental implant instead of a crown due to the fact I grind my teeth fairly badly and said that a crown wouldn’t last. The NHS dentist which I have just seen knew nothing about implants and simply said she could do route canal and a crown, not really mentioning that it may not last due to grinding. So bearing in mind that I could afford an implant, am I better to just bite the bullet and get an implant done as opposed to a crown which according to the private dentist I may have to replace in a couple of years? Or is the private dentist just after more money? In addition am I better to go to a special centre that specialises in implants or register with a private dentist that does them? Also if I went the route canal and crown route someone said that nowadays they can fit very slim night mouth guards to protect teeth from night grinding and if so is this true because I had one about 20 years ago and felt like a gorilla in bed!! Thanks for your help
A. If you have enough root above the gum line( approx 2mm) to allow the crown to hold onto the root as well as the post that the dentist will put into the tooth the crown should be ok. If the root is at or below gum level then there is and increased chance of it failing. If this is the case an implant may be the best solution. Provided there is plenty of bone in the area then a private dentist with the correct training is likely to be able to successfully place an implant. If you grind your teeth at night which ever option you choose a night time appliance would be recommended.
Leave a Reply