External Resorption: Tooth #26. What Are My Best Options?

More than likely your best option is going to be extracting the tooth and placing a dental implant.  The have small diameter implants now that should fit nicely and after the crown is placed give you a great result. Orthodontics may be an option, but I worry about how much movement would need to take place and where your midline would be following treatment.  Good luck. 

If you have external resorption and your dentist feels it is not savable by means of root canal and periodontal surgery, then it is best to remove it.

If your lower teeth are crowded, then after the tooth has been extracted your orthodontist may just unravel the crowded teeth, which in turn should close the space.  If your teeth are only slightly crowded, then after the braces or invisalign orthodontics, you might need a little composite bonding to finish closing the space.  If you don't have any crowding, then orthodontics may not be the best way for you to go.

You ask about other alternative treatments?  There are at least two that immediately come to my mind.  One is a dental implant and the other is a dental fixed bridge. 

Regarding the dental implant, oftentimes the implant can be placed at the same time that the tooth is extracted.  However, you may have to wait a number of weeks wearing a temporary tooth substitute (usually called "a flipper") until the implant has bonded to the bone and ready to accept a crown on top of it.

The bridge approach would mean you first have the tooth extracted, wear the temporary as mentioned above for 4-6 weeks to allow for the bone and gum at the extraction site to heal and mature.  Then the two teeth adjacent to the space can be prepared, a temporary bridge placed, and two weeks later the permanent fixed bridge placed.  So, beginning to end, your entire treatment using the bridge approach may only take around two months, but you would never have to go out with some kind of tooth in the space where the failed tooth was removed.

If you have dental insurance, you may NOT get any coverage for the orthodontics, the implant or any cosmetic bonding.  However, most dental insurance companies will pay for the fixed bridge treatment.

 Without photos and radiographs it is difficult to give any definite advice, but generally the best treatment for external root resorption would be extraction and a dental with or without a bone graft (depends ofn individual situation)  Orthodontics is an option, but that would make your dental midlines uneven and in turn will not be very esthetic.  a bridge is an option, but you have to cut down healthy teeth and bridges only last 5-7 yrs. Seek out the advice of a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon for the best treatment for you, He/ She will have the greatest amount of training and knowledge to discuss your particular case.

I'm glad you are getting your consultations before you extract your tooth.  Orthodontics might be an option, but only if you have crowded lower teeth.  If you have somewhat normal spacing ortho likely will NOT give you nice cosmetic results.  This of course depends on your smile and lip height (how much tooth you show).  Unfortunately your options are few.  They include; implant (get that consultation before you extract as well- you may not have enough room - the lower anterior can be tricky), bridge of one sort or another, removable partial denture.  Since you asked the best option is the one that will give you the results you are looking for (speed, cosmetics, cost?).  If ortho, the time frame varies but expect at least 9 months.  Good Luck!

Most times when a tooth has resorption it is eventually lost.  However, depending on the location and the severity of the resorption, I have seen a few cases treated successfully with endodontic thereapy (root canal).  If your teeth are very crowded, orthodontics could be a possiblity or if you have other bite, cosmetic issues you want changed.  If not, an implant would be an option if adequate bone and space is present.  In that area normally a bridge can be done that bonds to the back of the adjacent teeth and restores the missing tooth without any preparation of the adjacent teeth being required.