NetWellness Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Fractured Root

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST

Question: I had a root canal and crown done on #9 in July of 2008. Six months later a sore spot developed about 1/4 inch above the edge of the gum line, just about even with the bottom of the left nostril. The dentist that did the work cut the gum open to reveal a hole in the bone, but no infection. Tests rev . . .

Answer: It is not a good idea to delay the extraction of the tooth. The longer the infection is there, the more bone is lost and the less likely an ideal outcome with the implant will be reached. However, if necessary for financial reasons, the extraction can be done and then the implant delayed. A temporar . . .

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Crowns and Root Canals

Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:01:00 EST

Question: If you have a root canal procedure on a tooth that has previously been crowned, will you need a new crown once the root canal has been completed, or will the existing crown still be able to do its job?

Answer: A new crown is always ideal after a hole has been drilled through it to do the root canal; however, depending on the size of the hole, a filling sometimes works well enough to seal off the access hole.

Ask an Expert: Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Dentures/Grafting?

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:01:00 EST

Question: Hello Doctor,

My Dentist is having trouble deciding if he should give me full upper & lower Dentures, due to my age. I am 35 yrs old. He says that if the teeth come out since my bone density is poor my jawbone could diminish within 5-10 yrs. I`m worried because this has to be done within th . . .

Answer: Your dentist is correct that dentures cause jaw bone to be lost over time, and in a very young denture patient like yourself, that can be a long-term problem. He or she is also correct that bone grafts would not be beneficial in decreasing bone loss under dentures. However, dental implants are highl . . .

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Crowns Fitting Properly

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:12:00 EST

Question: Hi Ive had crowns put on three implants on the top. When I floss, I feel that there is lots of space on the top of the crown. I can put my floss under the crown on the very top and it goes in very deep...is this normal or should the gum fit snug without a gap..thanks

Answer: