I smashed my front tooth would it be okay to have a crown now and do the implants later

Q. I have recently smashed my front tooth out and saw an NHS dentist as an emergency patient. The tooth has been cut back to just below the gum, and treated. I have been advised the tooth is now dead but what is left is still firmly in. The dentist advised getting a crown put on this for the next few years, during which the tooth will fall out naturally. I was told I will then need an implant and new crown. I was advised it is better to leave the tooth as is, without taking it out at this stage, and let it come out naturally over time. Then get the implant with new crown as and when this happens. Is this good advice, or would you recommend getting all the work done now? Its worth mentioning the tooth to the side of this has also been chipped, but not broken, so work will be done on this now. Many thanks for your help.

A.

Just to clarify, the tooth won’t naturally come out by itself. If you have a post crown on the tooth, then this may last a few years and then you might look at having an implant retained crown. The implant acts like your own tooth. It is your decision wether to have the implant now or later. You will at some point need further treatment- as post crowns don’t last forever. At least if you have the implant placed now, you know that you have the bone levels to place it. If the bone levels shrink back, then implant placement may not be possible- but as the root of your own tooth is still in situe, then this will not be an issue. You could always pay to try the post crown and that will give you some time to save for the implant in a few years.
Hope all goes well.

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Dr Kailesh Solanki

Kissdental – UK Practice of the Year 2007
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  1. Eric says:

    Hi, I have a bridge of 4 crowns, but i think 1 of my roots are broken because the bridge is loosy. If i will get 2 implants can i use the same crown (it’s made from ceramic)of course if you can reshape it. thanks

  2. Maximillian says:

    Is £1500 a fair price quoted for a sinus lift during an implant procedure and at what stage can a dentist tell me if this is required? I am due to have a failing crown and the remainder of tooth extracted and wanted to consider whether to go ahead as I would be happy for the implant without the added cost of sinus lift. This is on my third molar from the back of my mouth and I have had several abssesses in this region

  3. Jon says:

    Its about right for a sinus and implant placement

  4. Ronaldo says:

    Would you recommend veneers or crowns? The teeth that I want covering are a lot smaller than my other teeth and are badly discoloured. I am a little worried there isn’t enough of a tooth for each veneer/ crown to attach itself to. I would also like to have my teeth lightened a few shades. What procedure woud you recommend and should I whiten them before having my veneers attached? How long do veneers/ crowns last and what do I have to do to maintain them?

  5. Jaelyn says:

    I would need to see you to decide what treatment will suit you best but on smaller teteh it is often better to fully cover the teeth.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at 9:06 am and is filed under Dr Solanki's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental crowns, Q. Dental Implants.