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replace now or can i wait? i have insurance but dont want done for sake of doing if dont have to now?

i have had several opinions on the below work that needs to be done.

initial breakdown on 4, 5 , with #19.. my feeling is id rather not touch until i need it.. xrays show fine, clinically you can see beginning.. but every time a tooth is touched, you aggravate the nerve, pulp, do you recommend i wait so i can get max use of current restoration?

Recommendations (in order):

tooth # 19, crown

#,4 ,5 replace with composite or crown
Poster
  • Male | 36 years old
September 24, 01:38 AM

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Featured Answer

3 UpVoted this answer Steven Davidowitz, DDS,FICOI Dentist, New York City James E. Bertz, MD, DDS, FACS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Scottsdale
Of course, it's hard to comment intelligently, not having seen your teeth. It is true that anytime we work on a tooth, it may get grumpy. BUT, it is also true that the longer you wait to fix something, the more likely it is to decide to get grumpy. That's the Catch 22 of dentistry - everybody wants to hold out because they don't want to stir up trouble, but the longer they wait to fix it the more likely they are to end up with troubles when they do finally have the work done. Also, don't forget that the $200 filing today often becomes next year's $3000 root canal, post and crown if you let it go. And that's a serious bummer!!!! Also, it is my experience that sometimes the voice in your head giving you reasons to wait, is really the subconscious fear that we all have of having any procedure done, looking for any excuse it can come up with to get out of it - it's natural - we all do it! I can always come up with a good reason why today is not a good day to mow the lawn, because deep down, I just don't want to do it. I hope that's helpful. It's just my observations, having helped a lot of very fearful dental patients get through their treatment more happily. Again - I haven't seen your teeth or x rays, so I don't know how bad your situation is. These are just general observations. Best wishes!
John R. Whittemore
John R. Whittemore, DDS
Dentist in Germantown, TN
Level: Candidate (3)
Website: http://germantownsmiles.com
September 24, 02:33 AM
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1 UpVoted this answer Maria R Burmaster, DDS Dentist, Marrero
Unfortunately there is not enough information here on which to base any recommendations. Might I suggest that you ask your Dentist to explain to you in laymans terms why he or she has made these recommendations. A good doctor patient relationship should be based not only upon a patients trust in the doctor, but also in the doctor being open to discuss issues with patients in the spirit of educating them such that they may make a proper informed consent.
James Blake
James Blake, DDS
Dentist in Hamburg, NY
Level: Contributor (23)
September 25, 01:46 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer
It is usually better to repair teeth on an elective basis rather than wait until an emergency occurs. If you reside in an area where it is socially acceptable to have missing teeth, foul smelling breath and an unsightly smile you can let them go. It is usually more costly to repair or replace teeth that have bigger problems than those that present with minimal problems. For example if you need a filling replaced it may cost $300 dollars.. let it go and you could need a root canal treatment , core build up and crown and spend 10 times as much an not have as good of long range prognosis.
Gary F. Alder
Gary F. Alder, DDS
Dentist in River Forest, IL
Level: Top Contributor (39)
September 25, 01:24 PM
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Without x-rays and having examined you it is very hard to give any advice on your question. It is the general rule of thumb that it is best to be proactive then wait. By the time the tooth is giving you trouble you may have went from a filling to root canals and crowns. You stated that you have had several opinions already and it sounds to me like you have not found a dentist that you have trust and confidence in. Its important that you find a dentist that you trust and has the same values and I think you will find it easier to make your decision. Good luck.
Orangecrest Family Dental
Orangecrest Family Dental, DDS
Dentist in Riverside, CA
Level: Top Contributor (48)
Website: Orangecrest Family Dental
November 05, 08:42 PM
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How old are the current restorations? Know that by the time you can see decay on an x-ray it is rather advanced.If the tooth goes for a long time with a old filling, it may develop a cavity, which can subsequently weaken the tooth structure and cause the tooth to break or crack. Without the filling, the tooth will also experience different forces that end up causing it to break.

If you wait too long, the tooth may break and become so badly decayed that it is what dentists like to call unrestorable. That means that just like Humpty Dumpty, nobody will be able to put that tooth back together again, and it will have to come out.
Centreville Dental Group
Centreville Dental Group
Dentist in Centreville, VA
Level: Master Contributor (58)
Website: Centreville Dental Group
November 04, 02:22 PM
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A good clinical exam coupled with proper radiographs and your own subjective analysis of the situation provides the best answer to your question. How old are the current restorations? Know that by the time you can see decay on an x-ray it is rather advanced since x-rays are only 2 dimensional. If your diet and hygiene efforts are good, you might slow the decay process somewhat but the process will continue. Do you trust your dentist's judgement? Is he/she willing to prioritize the treatment to work within your budget requirements? Treatment is never cheaper or less involved as time passes, but with good advice from your dentist you can make good decisions that suit your needs.
Sharon Szeszycki
Sharon Szeszycki, DDS
Dentist in Glen Ellyn, IL
Level: Contributor (9)
Website: http://www.parkblvddentistry.com
November 03, 12:26 AM
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Your red flag for me is that you have had several opinions. You need to settle in and find a Dentist in his/her OWN practice with YOUR best interest in mind. Then follow your heart. You will then know what to do.

Best of luck, Brian
Brian L. Kirkwood, DDS
Brian L. Kirkwood, DDS, DDS
Dentist in Greenfield, IN
Level: Master Contributor (53)
October 30, 12:25 AM
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I always say ask 10 dentists, you'll get 10 opinions. Sounds like you are hesitant to go ahead despite many opinions. Find a dentist you are comfortable with and proceed with treatment.
Lisa M. Murray
Lisa M. Murray, DDS
Dentist in Fridley, MN
Level: Top Contributor (42)
Website: Moore Lake Dental
October 23, 04:22 PM
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It is hard to fully comment based on the information you provided. However, you say that it is initial breakdown of the teeth, yet the treatment recommendations were crowns. Crowns are needed when there is a lot of broken down tooth structure that needs to be replaced, not "initial breakdown". Therefore, the teeth may be in a worse situation than you describe. Also, it is never a good idea to wait to have dental treatment completed. Waiting only causes decay to get worse and can lead to more costly treatment and discomfort.
Gregory Camp
Gregory Camp, DMD
Dentist in Charlotte, NC
Level: Contributor (13)
Website: Gregory Camp, DMD
October 16, 01:56 PM
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The information you give is not enough to make a proper assessment of your problems. However, I know you should address the problems before they get worse.
J. Abe smith
J. Abe smith, DDS, MPH, FICOI
Oral Medicine Specialist in San Juan, ON
Level: Contributor (12)
October 11, 10:27 PM
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