Dental Advice

[whtyger97]

Let me start by saying my teeth are in bad shape, and I wish I had taken much better care of them when I was younger. That said I am doing my best now to get them back into shape.

I got my first crown today because an old filling fell out. When I was talking to the dentist she wants to put crowns on my front 4 teeth. My front 2 teeth overlap and there is a cavity between the two teeth. She says there is decay on the other 2 teeth but I'm not able to see that. None of these teeth are causing me pain or discomfort at the moment.

Crowns just seem so destructive to the existing tooth, does any one have experience with crowns on their front teeth? If so, what's been your experience?

I'm only 32, and I'm concerned that if they whittle down my teeth to put crowns on and then the crowns fall off I'll look horrible. (Yes I know I could have them put back on).

If the tooth was in pain or it was just a filling I wouldn't hesitate, but crowns just seem like overkill right now, but what do I know.

 

[goofy4tink]

Do you have dental insurance?? If so, the dentist is going to have to submit xrays that support the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. If the insurance company doesn't think it's justified, they won't cover it.
If you don't have insurance, I would perhaps get a second opinion.

 

[Art 1]

Dentist like crowns. They make good money selling crowns. Keep that in mind.

 

[denisenh]

i don't have crowns on front teeth but i know 2 people that do. one was an elderly woman. when she lost a front crown it remained off. she was demented and it was the best choice for her. it was not attractive (and hopefuly not painful.)

the second was middle age very socially involved woman. when she lost a front tooth crown, she made an emergency appt at the dentist to have it fixed. i don't think anyone else saw her without the crown on

i would advise you to go for it. a beautiful smile is so nice.

 

[whtyger97]

Do you have dental insurance?? If so, the dentist is going to have to submit xrays that support the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. If the insurance company doesn't think it's justified, they won't cover it.
If you don't have insurance, I would perhaps get a second opinion.

Forgot to add, I have insurance, but the copay is still substantial, like a car payment each crown (but luckly the car was paid off this month and the dentist will take payments without charging interest, so I could get it all done at once and pay off over 4 months)

 

[whtyger97]

Dentist like crowns. They make good money selling crowns. Keep that in mind.

This is why I'm hesitating, if I was 100% sure it was medically needed I would do it.

 

[JessicaR]

This is why I'm hesitating, if I was 100% sure it was medically needed I would do it.

You can always get a second opinion if you are unsure the first one is accurate. I would do that.

 

[marcyinPA]

I have several crowns (which my insurance did not cover...about $1000 a piece ). If you have not had any fillings in the front teeth, is there a reason why they can just fill and/or bond them?

My crowns resulted from old fillings that needed to be replaced, but the tooth was more than 1/2 gone when the filling would be drilled out.

I would not have gotten them if it hadn't been for that reason.

Oh, and as far as having decay but no pain...this is quite common. Unfortunately, you can start having a great deal of pain when the decay reaches the nerve/roots, and then you'll need a root canal. This is a slippery slope that I am on right now, with a tooth that needs a crown, but I have no cash for one. The tooth is decayed, and it's only a matter of time until it starts giving me problems.

 

[kchughes]

I had to have all 4 of my front teeth crowned due to excessive grinding that wore away the enamel on the back side. I was having a lot of sensitivity, so it was medically necessary. However, I now smile in pictures and have no issues speaking in public. Something I would never have done before I had the work done. It really made a world of difference for me. I can now have a cold drink without needing a straw and my self confidence improved. If one ever comes off, I will be calling my dentist at home on the weekend at midnight. And he would meet me, too!

 

[minkydog]

I have several crowns (which my insurance did not cover...about $1000 a piece ). If you have not had any fillings in the front teeth, is there a reason why they can just fill and/or bond them?

My crowns resulted from old fillings that needed to be replaced, but the tooth was more than 1/2 gone when the filling would be drilled out.

I would not have gotten them if it hadn't been for that reason.

Oh, and as far as having decay but no pain...this is quite common. Unfortunately, you can start having a great deal of pain when the decay reaches the nerve/roots, and then you'll need a root canal. This is a slippery slope that I am on right now, with a tooth that needs a crown, but I have no cash for one. The tooth is decayed, and it's only a matter of time until it starts giving me problems.

I bolded that part because i have 4 crowns and a root canal. All my crowns were the result of deep cavities where the fillings either fell out, crumbled, or started leaking. One of them went from no pain at all to "white hot lightning bolt" in just a couple days. Believe me, i don't EVER want to go through that again!

OP, since you are concerned and even a bit leery, I'd suggest you get a second opinion. Take your xrays but don't tell the new dentist what the old dentist said. Let him tell you what he thinks. If the second dentist suggests crowns, then maybe you need to think about it. One thing about it, most of the time crowns are not an emergency. So you've got some time to decide. But if those teeth start to feel sensitive, you need to get in there right away for treatment. I don't think there is much more painful than tooth pain.IMO, of course.

 

[minnie56]

No dental insurance here..never had it. I have 6 crowns..1 on a front tooth. I guess the oldest is about 12 years and NEVER have had any one of them come off! I agree with a previous poster..can't beat a great smile. That said..I would only have a crown when there was no saving the tooth any other way. You would need to deal with the decay issues anyways...ask if you did that--what the prognosis is and odds that the tooth or teeth will last a little longer?

 

[Mrs.Milo]

First one when as a teenager, it came off 12 years later unintentionally when my braces were removed. ( I reminded them be careful!) It was replaced then and still going strong many years later. I have also had the other 3 done just recently, but not until I had to. If it makes you feel better, get a second opinion, but if you decide not to get the crowns, I would suggest to get the fillings taken care of so they don't become a bigger problem. Good luck!

 

[Pakey]

I have 19 crowns and am in the process on my 20th. Mine are a result of deep cavities that came after wearing braces for 12 years. I got a second opinion and third opinion before starting this process a few years ago.

 

[Schmeck]

There are other options - veneers, bonding, dental implants (very expensive), etc.

 

[kirbsam]

some dentists are more proactive than other dentists. by all means get a second opinion. but my experience tells me that even if you find a dentist to agree with what you think, those teeth will be crowns someday. so go find a dentist that will give you a diagnosis that you want to hear, and let them do the work, but heed my words above.

as to the poster that implied that dentists do crowns to make more money, you are a bitter person, who needs a little love.