Question by Laura: should i have tooth removed or braces first, and what will it cost?
hi, I’ve just been to the dentist, and it turns out one of my front teeth is dead. At first he said he’d have to do a root canal on it, which would be free on the NHS, but after taking an x-ray realised the tooth is dead, but also fractured above the gum, meaning it’ll have to be removed at some point.

the other problem is that though i had braces at 16 (im 21 now), the other front tooth has moved back to a wonky position, and i would like to have it straightened again, but my dentist told me i’d have to have this done before any fake dental implants for my dead teeth.

so in summary, i was just wondering should i get braces again (just for one tooth!) or are their any other cheaper/quicker solutions. I would really like to have straight teeth. should i wait till after my teeth have been straightened to consider having my tooth extracted?

also, Is a dental implant the only option to replace a missing tooth, and how much does it cost?

Thanks for your help!

Best answer:

Answer by clairenet
It may be possible to do a bridge. Because the missing tooth is in the front though, in order to do a bridge, the dentist would have to drill on several teeth to get good retention on it (help it to be stable and stay in place). Plus, this is a huge commitment. You have to be certain to keep them clean because it is possible to get decay around the teeth in the bridge.
You could also have a one tooth partial denture. This is a removable appliance with the replacement tooth on it. It fits similar to a removable retainer. (Did you have a retainer with a wire on it after your braces?) This also takes commitment. You will need to be sure to wear it since once the tooth is removed, the other teeth can shift and move into the open area. Then the partial wont fit!

The best bet is an implant as a permanent option. It is a little more involved then your other two options, but overall its the most low maintenance. There are also instances when implants don’t take. (Problems with the post that is placed into your bone) Be sure you have all the options and all risks explained in detail so you can be totally informed and confident of your decision. Implants are very expensive. In the $ 5000 range I believe but it depends on your location. Be sure you coordinate your implant surgery with an oral surgeon (to do the post) and a dentist (to do the crown that fits onto the post) so each can give you the best result possible.

As far as what to do first, braces or extraction? Figure out first what you are going to do to have that tooth replaced.
Have you consulted with an orthodontist? Sometimes you can wear a series of 3 or 4 clear trays which move your teeth instead of going through the full braces again. (Your orthodontist could tell you if this is the only thing that needs to be adjusted or if other aspects of your bite has changed.)
Does the look of your teeth bother you? If not, leave the crooked front tooth and concentrate on fixing the damaged one.
Good luck!

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