Two Dentists Won't Fix My Broken Tooth!

[Lopburi99]

I have a tooth about halfway back on the top which is used as an anchor tooth for a small bridge. Anyway, part of the tooth broke off a few months ago and now another corner has broken off. Two dentists here in Lopburi said it is impossible to repair. How can that be? If they can do root canals (which leaves little of the original tooth), why can't they do something similar so I can keep this tooth and bridge setup. The main reason I don't want the extraction is because sometimes there are related problems, like continued bleeding, dry socket, infection, broken off root segments, etc.

My wife told me dentists in Thailand prefer pulling teeth rather than salvaging a tooth, even though a root canal and crown brings them many more baht than an inexpensive extraction. Is this correct? Anybody know why?

Edited October 6, 2008 by Lopburi99

[pumpuiman]

If the tooth is cracked/broken to the point where the problem goes too far below the gum line, a root canal cannot be performed. The repair would have to completely seal the tooth from allowing the entrance of bacteria...which may not be possible in your case, leaving extraction as your only option.

Of course an implant could be put in following the extraction....an expensive option, but would still leave an "anchor" for your bridge work.

If x- rays show the damage to your tooth runs too deep....I'd say their advice is correct.

[Lopburi99]

If the tooth is cracked/broken to the point where the problem goes too far below the gum line, a root canal cannot be performed. The repair would have to completely seal the tooth from allowing the entrance of bacteria...which may not be possible in your case, leaving extraction as your only option.

Of course an implant could be put in following the extraction....an expensive option, but would still leave an "anchor" for your bridge work.

If x- rays show the damage to your tooth runs too deep....I'd say their advice is correct.

I see. Thank you. Unfortunately the language barrier is a big problem for me, the dentists explain the issue to my wife who is unable to speak English well enough to pass on the information accurately to me. She just says "tooth no good". (Frustrating for all of us) Think I'll try one more dentist and try communicating with him/her via drawing a tooth on paper.

Edited October 6, 2008 by Lopburi99

[pumpuiman]

I just visited a dentist here in the U.S. and he explained the process to me. I have a crack across the top of a molar, which x-rays don't clearly show the extent of. He informed me that if that crack runs too deep.....out comes the tooth.

I posted a question here the other day, asking about root canal prices in Bangkok (it's going to be $2700 dollars here!) What do you expect to pay?

I figure I can pay for my wife and I to travel to Thailand to have it done....and still save money.

Do you know the cost of root canal and crown?

[jdinasia]

Try Silom Dental they are awesome.

[PeaceBlondie]

First of all, your analogy to a root canal may not be accurate. They can do a root canal if the shell of the tooth and its base are solid. However, the canal work itself takes out the blood vessels, so the tooth becomes brittle. Which is why you need a crown. I had maybe 15 root canals in my life, and eventually lost them all, because few if any had a crown installed. Still, some teeth become so broken or decayed or cracked that they cannot be restored. Not enough porcelain there for them to build upon.

[Lopburi99]

I just visited a dentist here in the U.S. and he explained the process to me. I have a crack across the top of a molar, which x-rays don't clearly show the extent of. He informed me that if that crack runs too deep.....out comes the tooth.

I posted a question here the other day, asking about root canal prices in Bangkok (it's going to be $2700 dollars here!) What do you expect to pay?

I figure I can pay for my wife and I to travel to Thailand to have it done....and still save money.

Do you know the cost of root canal and crown?

Assuming the root canals here are the same as the root canals done in the states (see PeaceBlondie's reply), you stand to save a TON of money! My understanding is root canals in Lopburi (including the new crown) cost about only about 3,500 baht (per the rates list I saw posted in two dentists offices). Even in my case, both dentists quoted me only 10,500 baht to remove two teeth, build a new bridge and install implants! That would cost thousands in the US!!! (If my Thai cost information is incorrect, someone please correct me so I don't mislead pumpuiman!)