romoving root canal teeth and the future of teeth health

January 19, 2008

I'm glad you brought up root canal teeth.

I have also had two teeth removed that were once root canals. This was two

years ago, right after my second child was born. They were both upper molars,

one on each side. I have spent $1000 just getting opinions and second opinions

in the last six months on what to do now. Because of the holes, my teeth have

shifted inward, meaning the teeth on both sides of my mouth are coming closer

together, causing a very narrow bite, and my lower teeth do not align with the

uppers at all any more in those areas (my teeth in general don't line up well

either). My sinuses also lowered themselves right down into the holes.

It has been recommended to me to get braces, $8,000, jaw surgery, $40,000, and

then implants with bone grafting and sinus lifting, $17,000, and then caps,

$2,000, along with lots of visits with a periodontist to monitor gum health

through all the stages. All of this would be considered elective by my

insurance, or they just flat out don't cover it, and the total is before the

cost of anesthesia and hospital stay. I am at a loss as to what to do without

coming into a lot of money. (and even if I did, all this sounds very invasive).

That said, my mouth is falling apart because of the holes even though it has

been only two years. My gums and overall mouth health is great with only a few

cavities, but my overall body health will be effected if I do nothing.

I've considered doing a bridge, though no one I have seen in the field will do

it for me since I am too young. A bridge which would have me basically loose

the healthy teeth on either side of the holes, and would contribute to bone loss

and more tooth loss down the road.

I am in the process of doing what has been recommended. I just finished healing

from a $3,000 skin graft to prepare my thin gums in the lower front for braces.

I also took my wisdom teeth out as recommended by the orthodontist this July.

Any ideas from anyone who has gone through the process of filling the holes left

from removing teeth would be helpful. Directly to me will be fine.

Jenn Klemp

jenni.matt@...

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