To implant or not? What are my options?

Question

I have had 2 root canals on #15, 12/14 and 7/16. I still have a localized, chronic infection that was confirmed today. I also have a MTHFR mutation that can affect my vascular system (gum graft took almost 2 years to heal). Endo says we can wait another year and see how it is. I have pain in my jaw and temple, sometimes the ear as well. I am a hard clencher at night, I have Invisalign, tray #5 out of 23. What are my options? I don't know if an implant will work for me with my MTHFR & clenching.

Joseph H. Hidalgo, DDS · Answer

Hi, Dee. It sounds like you have a chronically infected tooth. Obviously, the root canal option has been exhausted and the tooth must be extracted. I would suggest extraction and placement of bone preservation graft and let heal while you are finishing your invisalign. After the invisalign, you can have your medical history reviewed by a competent implant surgeon to verify that you are candidate for implants. Hope this helps.

Megan Shelton, DMD · Answer

The immediate concern should be to address the chronic infection.  It seems that the tooth has a hopeless prognosis even after root canal treatment, so it would be ideal to remove the tooth and place a bone graft.  This would allow your body to heal in that area, and allow you to continue your invisalign without disruption.  Once the site is healed, the bone can be evaluated for implant placement.  With your clenching, a night guard would be ideal if you have an implant placed, but your dentist who is placing and restoring the implant should be able to go over prognosis with you.  Wish you the best.  Smiles, Dr. Shelton

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

Sounds like a hopeless tooth. Chronic infection is not good and is dangerous to let continue. The tooth should be removed if it has not healed after two unsuccessful root canal attempts.  Implant option could be assessed after Invisalign is completed and the extraction site has healed. Your remaining teeth will continue to track after the extraction of #15 has been performed without any issues.

German Arzate, DDS - Account Suspended · Answer

root canals sooner or later will give you problems are dead teeth, that you body is presenting rejection, thats why it hurts, you will need to remove them, perform a flipper and set the implants there,options may vary on each patient, you need a good diagnose,

To implant or not? What are my options?

Answers (4)

Answer: Implants are your best option

Answer: Implants are your best option

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To implant or not? What are my options?

Answers (4)

Answer: Implants are your best option

Answer: Implants are your best option

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.