Frequently Asked Questions

in 1990 i chipped my two front teeth. the left tooth basically fell out and was placed back in and wired to the adjacent teeth. In 1996 I experienced a terrible infection and had to have root canals done on the two front teeth and the other tooth next to the front left. I then chipped one of the front again in 1999. In 2003 my front left felt loose and I apparently had a tooth that was "egg shell" like and had to have a post put in to reinforce the tooth. I have had recurring infections since then. I was told I was on borrowed time before this tooth would have to be taken out. My root canal apparently was unsuccesful on the left tooth and was advised to get a partial. I wanted something that was more real and fixed rather than a partial and was wondering about a bridge. My right tooth is in similar shape. So far I have not had any problems with it but my dentist said it isn't a matter of "if" but "when", and wants to remove both the front teeth. I was given an approx. quote of $4500 for a bridge. It is more money than I was wanting to spend..but I want results that I will be happy and satisfied with. I have suffered with these discolored, pain in the you know what teeth for 16 years! I am only 26 years old. Will the fixed bridge be worth the money? I want something that looks natural, are porcelin briges long lasting and natural looking? My insurance will pay half for a partial but nothing for a bridge. The partial was going to cost about 1500. Please, any advice would be helpful..Do I really have any other options??

You should discuss a permanent bridge and implants with your dentist and see which you prefer. Both are wonderful restorations and long lasting if you stop chipping and bumping those front teeth. You should check on your insurance plan again. I have never seen an insurance plan that covered partials and not bridges. Perhaps you just got the policy and the tooth was already missing? Sometimes there are pre-existing exclusions with policies.

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