Implant or post & core for broken root canal-ed teeth? (Photos)

Question

I’m a 47 years old male with no medical conditions. Last week my root canaled crown ( 4 years old) fell off breaking underneath tooth. In last week I consulted 4 orthodontist & one Periodontist. Two strongly suggested implants and two suggested post & core with crown lengthening(around 4-5 years life without affecting future implant). Does it look like a case where post & core is an option, I’m fine if it works for 4-5 years provided this will not negatively impact future implant procedure?

Zev Kaufman, DDS · Answer

Dear preconco:
Yours is a dilemma that has been giving dentists pause for the past quarter century.
 Either treatment plan given to you could work well and is entirely acceptable. However you are missing one key ingredient... The biggest variable here is the knowledge, expertise, experience, and, skill of the dentist making the final crowns.  If the final crowns are expertly made by an excellent clinician,  the chances are that the teeth will last for much more than 5 years.  However, if after the crown lengthening surgery, the crowns are of a poor fit and form, you would be throwing your money, time and effort away.
I suggest one of the following options:
1.  If  you like the periodontist, ask him to recommend a quality dentist who will fabricate the temporary crowns needed for the crown lengthening surgery and will be able to fabricate the final quality crowns.
2.  Look up a prosthodontist in your area,  who is actually the expert in this particular scenario and go in for a second opinion from someone who is actually formally trained to address this type of situation.
Do not rush  to extract the teeth and replace them with implants. The latest science and studies actually show that properly treated root canalled teeth which were properly restored will last just as long as implants do. Implants are not teeth,  and as we do more and more of them we discover more and more problems and issues that can arise down the line.  As a Prosthodontist who is trained to place implants and has been doing it for 20 years, I would personally try and save your teeth first.  We can always place implants later and we are getting better at it every year.
Best of luck.

German Arzate, DDS - Account Suspended · Answer

if your teeth are strong, and they have no mobility, you can place long posts,and perform 2 crowns without any problem , you will have a good result, and you can wait if you are thinking about doing implants. this is a very easy procedure on expert hands.

Implant or post & core for broken root canal-ed teeth? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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