Problems with post crown

[Denis]

Hi

I had a post crown fitted about two years ago after my front tooth had its nerve removed and a root filling done on it. The tooth has started to hurt over the last few weeks and I have seen my dentist to see what can be done. He says that the root filling has developed an infection and I need to have the tooth removed and have an implant. Apparently because the post crown is in the way, the root filling cant be redone safely. I would like to save my tooth if that is possible. Is there anyway that the tooth can be saved with another root canal?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

Once a tooth has had a post, if the root canals fails and infection develops, then it can be very risky and complicated to treat and get rid of the infection. Hence your dentist suggesting the removal of the tooth and its replacement by means of an implant as the best option. You have alternative options to implant which mainly are dentures and bridges. But these days when we have the implant option, the latter is considered to be the best choice of treatment.

If you really want to try save your tooth, then you have to accept the risks associated with it. These are when you try to remove the post one, you may not be able to remove it and second you may break the root and if so the tooth needs to be removed. Now in the case where post is successfully removed then you will need re-root treatment and then again a post and a new crown. You need to consider the costs involved with re-treatment and then what is the success rate with re-root canals which in general is 70%.

Having said these considering saving a tooth should not be automatically ruled out and if one is prepared to accept the risks and the costs involved then go for it. You must always remember with none of the treatment options there is a 100% guarantee, not even with implants and it is all a matter of possibilities and probabilities!!

What I suggest is you can always consider a second opinion and we would be very happy to do this for you and provide you with more informations and treatment options.