Dental Help/ Opinions Please?

Question

My left canine tooth never grew an adult tooth to replace the baby one. Over time the baby tooth became loose. My dentist pulled it out and here's what he did. He made a "tooth" out of some type of filling material..drilled down the teeth next to it on either side and attatched it with dental glue. Problem is the "tooth" keeps breaking. What I have is not really a bridge..since there are no crowns. Question is..can I just leave it when it breaks off all the way? I don't have the $$ for a proper bridge. Can I leave it when it breaks all the way? It's broken 2 times already..what can I do to fix this problem? Aren't the teeth he shaved down ruined now as well?

Answer 1

I don't really understand what your dentist did. If it's not a bridge then what is it? And i see no reason at all for him to shave down the teeth next to the missing tooth, and yes those teeth are now ruined. I would definitely go get a 2nd opinion and not go back to that dentist. There were many more options then to shave off other teeth...to me that seems like he was trying to get more money!!! you could have had a tooth implant...yes a little expensive but it was an option, now instead of fixing 1 you have 3 to worry about. My best advice is go see another dentist!!

Answer 2

He has tried to help you limp along due to your financial problem....What it obviously now needs is a proper bridge....or you could just wear a 'flipper'....a retainer with one tooth.

Where it is located is obviously getting alot of stress due to the biting forces.....and the cosmetic/temporary fix is not working.

Nothing is 'ruined'....you need to figure out what you need, work out the costs (see if he takes Care Credit, a credit plan for dental) and make the payments and do what needs to be done.  It is unfortunate that the adult tooth never developed, but now you have to fix it in a permanent way.