The crown on my front tooth fell out a few months ago. I went to a dentist who glued it back in but told me he wasn't sure how long it would hold. Then I went to another one who gave me a root-cut because he said it was a little infected.
Now I'm always paranoid that it will fall out and sometimes it feels loose, but I'm not sure if its my imagination. The problem is that an implant would be so expensive. I never had a post put in, so I'm wondering if that would be the next option? I definitely don't want a bridge, because it will damage my teeth.
Are there certain cases when the core-build-up is not done and they go straight for the implant. I know the tooth underneath was a little fractured and it was broken pretty close to the gumline.
Also I live in Germany, but will visit my mom in the US next month, so does anyone think it's a good idea for them to just yank the crown out and take care of there, where its a lot cheaper? ( I'm only visiting for two weeks though, but could possibly go back after 6 months) I just hate not knowing when it will fall out again and that I might not be able to afford an implant in Germany.

Thanks for any help :)

Hi Lisa,

If I were you, I'd get an appointment with a dentist as soon as you arrive in the US.
You may want to get a couple of opinions on what would be best to do. It would be a shame to lose the tooth so soon after having (what I think you mean by "root-cut") a root canal done of the tooth.

You may just need to have a new crown made with a core of some sort.

You are right about the bridge. An implant is the way to go if you DO have to lose the tooth. An implant does take multiple appointments. The crown is usually placed 4-6 months after the implant is placed. Implants here in Canada usually cost around the $2,000.00 mark. Not sure what they are charging in the US.

In the mean time, don't do any heavy biting or chewing on the tooth in question!

Good luck and keep us posted as to how you make out.

Thanks Flossie,
Actually I had the root canal years ago and the root-cut a few months ago. At least that's what the German dentist called it. I went in because there was some pain and the gum was really purple over where the crown was. I didn't know what was really going on. The dentist just took a knife and cut a flap of skin over the gum, injected some medicine and sewed it up with sutures that had to be removed a week later. It did actually make it less infected, so maybe I'm just being paranoid and the crown will hold.

I will make an appointment in the US. I can afford a crown and post even in germany, I think -just an implant is really expensive.

Thanks again

Lisa,
An implant would definitely be a last resort. Hopefully you won't have to worry about it!

Thanks Flossie,
I appreciate how you answer so many questions with your expertise :-) So do you think that if I didn't already get a post - that is a logical next step??
And one more: Can they use the same crown I already have to put a post in?
Thanks!

Lisa,
A post would be a good choice for the next step but I'm afraid a new crown will definitely have to be made whatever route you take.