My dentist put a metal screw post in my right incisor after root canal treatment. The tooth broke at the gumline after the root canal treatment. I feel a dull sensation in my nasal cavity, but it doesn’t hurt. Is a screw a good idea if I can’t afford a dental bridge? Thanks. Miguel from RI
Miguel,
Screw posts are usually stable and stay in the tooth. However, they can exert so much stress on a tooth root that it splits from the pressure. However, we cannot say whether the dull sensation in your cavity results from the screw in your tooth. Call your dentist and ask for an exam. In retrospect, your dentist could have placed a flexible post in your tooth after the root canal treatment before the tooth broke.
Treating a tooth that has broken at the gumline can be complex. Many dentists consider the tooth unsavable. Rotational forces on a front tooth can loosen a dental post or crown. If your dentist has placed a screw in the tooth, you can allow him to place the crown. Eventually, the screw may fail.
You can get a second opinion from a highly experienced dentist to examine your X-ray and tooth. Although the dentist may not recommend alternative treatment, he or she can explain what to expect from your dentist’s treatment plan.
You may need tooth replacement in the future. If you can anticipate the cost and save money for tooth replacement, you may be able to afford a dental bridge or an implant in a few years. Otherwise, a flipper partial denture is less expensive but less durable.
Dr. James Gavrilos, an accredited cosmetic dentist from Barrington, Illinois, sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give his patients the best dental care in Barrington.