I had a root canal and crown 3 years ago that failed on my top left second from back tooth, I think it's 15. So I had to get another root canal and another crown. Well a year later that crown failed SO I went to a different dentist and last July had that crown replaced. WELL it hurt to chew on and about 3 months ago they adjusted it by grinding some off. Well a week later they did another xray and say the nerve or root is cracked and I'll probably need an implant. There was a piece along the inside gumline I could feel like glue or something right at the top edge, the dental assistant picked at it and said maybe it was where the old tooth was, she called it a shelf but today I noticed it was gone. Now there's a hole at the edge of the gumline. I took a pic of it...
Crown number 3
- Thread starter Banjoman
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honestdoc
Verified Dentist
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It is hard to exactly determine from the image. In general, anytime you have drilling on a tooth, it becomes weaker. When the tooth gets a root canal (the first time), the tooth gets so weak you need a crown to protect it. From my observations, retreating a failed root canal is very risky and weakens the tooth even more. I would give the patient the option of placing an implant instead of retreating.