Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_chin
Went to the endodontist my dentist referred me to. Did a normal scan and a CBCT (3D) scan. It appears that there is a canal left untreated. This infuriates me a little.
Prior to doing the crown or any RCT, shouldn't dentist do 3D scans? The endo said because my dentist used 2D, he was not able to see the canal hidden behind the one showing on the X-ray.
Dentist should be doing 3D scans for RCT regardless. In-house or outsourced. It's a $120 scan that can save the patient $1500.
Now I'm scheduled to see the endo on the 11th for a retreat RCT. He's going to drill through my crown and get that canal cleaned out. Worst comes to worst, I may have to replace my crown if the RCT requires it to be removed which may cost me even more $$$.
Right now, I just wanna get this tooth out of my head. It's freaking hurting like a bitch.
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That really sucks. It goes back to my post on dentist competency. I'm sure the college of dentists is regulated to a high standard, but since it's not life/death I'm guessing the standards are more lax. The technology is available but it isn't mandatory, so the decision for better imaging/ultrasonics/chairs/sharp tools is completely up to the practice operator(s). My wife is a hygienist, and has temped at offices in the past that had tools that were practically "sharpened" into nothing, making them extremely dull. This to me is crazy considering that dentist provides a health service that people expect a certain standard for. Hopefully you can find a dentist that can do a better job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Traum
Going off on memory here since this conversation took place quite a few years ago, bear in mind that options #1 and #2 have a finite service life. IIRC, a bridge is only good for 10+ years, and I think a screw + crowd is good for 25+?
So depending on the OP's age, you might want to factor those into account. A finite service life also means you gotta do something again (and spend the money again) when the time's up, and your original option no longer be applicable.
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This is a very very good point that I forgot to mention. Subsequent implants may require more work if there is bone recession over the life of the earlier implant. Even knowing that I'd still go implant because the other alternatives aren't ideal for someone in their 20s-30s.