Get a root canal through my bridge?

I got a 5 tooth bridge 20 yrs. ago. The back tooth broke from the bridge and is abcessed. My dentist is sending me to an oral surgeon to get a root canal. He said they may be able to drill through the bridge. But he may break it. Then I need a new one.$$$. Would it be cheaper to cap the three teeth and get implants for the missing 2? I have no idea how much implants are.

Get a root canal through my bridge?
WOW! 20 year old bridge! You have taken very good care of it obviously. I think you probably meant your dentist was referring you to an endodontist. (they specialize in root canals) Anyways, it is very possible for the endodontist to access the tooth through your bridge. Unfortunately that's the only was to save your tooth if it needs a root canal. It is a VERY small hole and your general dentist will seal it afterwards. The downside to tapping the existing bridge off is your other natural teeth incorporated into your bridge could break or become traumatized. (we don't want to add more root canals to your treatment ;)


In the event the bridge breaks and can't be repaired think of all the mileage you got from that one, and replace it. 20 years is a long time, and most patients don't take care of their dental work like you apparently have! If it's a porcelain bridge fused to gold or metal and the porcelain chips off in the process, your general dentist could smooth the porcelain so it's not sharp to your tongue. Chipped porcelain is an esthetic problem not a functunal problem as long as it's fused to a metal coping. Either way, you are looking at a little more $$ to do three individual crowns and an implant than to replacing the existing bridge.


Individual crowns (caps) run anywhere from $800 and up depending on your geographical area and the materials used.


An implant is about $5-6 thousand dollars!! The actual steel post and surgery is about $3500, then you have to pay for a crown to attach to your implant. Good luck!!
Reply:Implants are $1000-1500 per tooth, a bit more if you need bone augmentation first. Either way, dental repairs aren't cheap. Good luck.
Reply:it is very possible for the endodontist to access the tooth through your bridge.
Reply:If the bridge is otherwise intact, it is just fine to drill right through it and do the root canal treatment. I'm not sure what you meanwhen you say the back tooth broke from the bridge. If the cement washed out and the tooth decayed under the bridge, you will need something done about this. This would probably mean getting a new bridge. A new 5-unit bridge would cost maybe $3,500-5,000. Your idea of cutting the bridge and keeping 3 units might not be a bad way to go. Maybe you'd only need one implant, depending on what you have in the opposite arch. The cost would be a little cheaper than getting a new bridge. If you got two implants and new crowns, it would cost a little more than getting an all new bridge. Ask about whether you'd need one or both teeth replaced if you cut the bridge and removed the broken down tooth.
Reply:Placement of the implants can vary greatly. Simply placing it into the bone ranges in cost from $1500 to $2000 or more. If bone grafts are needed, expect to pay a lot more. If it's an upper molar that you're seeking to replace and a procedure called a "sinus lift" is necessary, it can cost you from $2000 up.



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