porcelain crown Archives

How bad is it to be missing a tooth?

Posted on November 22, 2021 by goodtooth.

I am wondering how bad it really is to be missing a tooth? I think I’d rather just have it pulled out to be done with it. It seems like the last couple times I went in the dentist, he just wants me to keep getting treatment on it to save it. But, if it’s a lost cause, I’m ready to be done with it. He is recommending a root canal on the molar along with a crown. He even mentioned a dental implant if it gets to the point where a root canal will not save it. I just don’t want to keep spending a ton of money on a second molar that seems useless at this point. Am I off base here? I know I’m kind of cheap but this doesn’t make much sense to me.

-Paul in Indiana

Paul,

Well, it is important to realize that a dental implant is the ideal solution to replace a missing tooth. A dental implant is a permanent solution that not only looks natural, but functions just like a normal tooth. However, if you are ever going to lose a tooth, the last molar will present the least amount of complications. For most, that is indeed the second molar. This is because there is no tooth located behind it to shift into the space where the tooth is missing. It is important to realize however, that if it is a lower last molar, than you may end up losing the upper molar opposite it. This is because it will not have any opposing tooth and it will drift down until it starts to bite along your gum. You should be able to maintain decent chewing capacity too, as long as your other molars are in good health.

All that to be said, it’s still best to try and save a second molar, and most dentists will go to great lengths to save any natural tooth. This is because when you are missing a tooth, the bone is resorbed so the minerals can be used elsewhere in they body. Then, it causes the other surrounding teeth to shift into the empty spot and over time the jawbone will shrink. Again, with the last molar, that does present the least amount of issues. But it will likely impact your overall chewing efficiency, especially over time.

It would be good to seek a second opinion to see if another dentist recommends the same treatment plan. Generally speaking, the root canal would be the best option to save the tooth, and less expensive than a dental implant.

Thank you for your questions. Hopefully, this information is helpful as you consider your options.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Rick Lane, DDS.

My tooth broke off, now what?

Posted on November 4, 2021 by goodtooth.

I have had a crown on my right, lateral incisor for over 40 years. All those years ago, the dentist talked about a root canal. But, he never ended up needing to do one. At my last check up appointment, the dentist told me that now the tooth needs a root canal treatment. He said there is decay that has gotten underneath of the crown. It doesn’t hurt or anything and it isn’t showing any signs of infection.

Well, the dentist tried to do a root canal through the back of the crown. He was struggling big time! After two hours, he gave up. He told me that the canal is calcified and he cannot find it. So, he put a temporary filling in the crown and said he will refer me to an endodontist to get the root canal done. When I called the endodontist, he booked me out four weeks since I wasn’t in pain and there was no sign of infection.

Two weeks have passed, and my crown broke off. Even worse, some of the tooth came off with the broken crown. So, now I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford all of this expensive dental care and I’m wishing the original dentist would have just left it alone and not messed with it. What do you think I should do now? Is it safe to try to get the root canal done or am I better off with a dental implant at this point?

I am wondering if there is enough of the natural tooth left to do a new crown, which is what will be needed for a successful root canal, if I’m understanding all of it correctly. I went down the street to the pharmacy and am considering using some over-the-counter dental adhesive to reattach the crown.

I would welcome any advice you have on the situation. I don’t know what to do at this point, and am feeling frustrated at the situation.

Benjamin in Kentucky

Benjamin,

Well, at this point it is understandable that you are feeling frustrated. And I’m guessing you are wondering, whose fault is it that the tooth broke off?

Here is an example of when a root canal is typically required. In this instance, the decay has taken place under the crown.

The dentist spent an incredible amount of time drilling the tooth and searching for the root canal with no luck. Two hours of drilling is pretty invasive for any patient, so it is likely that the tooth became even more weakened. That may indeed be the reason it broke off, from all the stress. Although, the blame cannot be entirely placed on the dentist, because we don’t know how much decay was under the crown or the integrity of the crown. Also, the endodontist didn’t do you any favors by scheduling the appointment out so far. In the meantime, there could have been some measures implemented to strengthen the tooth. Hopefully, the dentist has learned from your situation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make it any easier for you now. It is possible the dentist would be willing to accept some of the responsibility to help you fix it. So, it would be in your best interest to ask about that possibility.

Since there is decay present under the crown, it sounds like the best course of action would be to remove any portion of the remaining crown. Then, the decay can be addressed, and a root canal would be much easier to locate. Even though you don’t feel any pain, it is possible that there is infection that penetrated the canal. So, without the old crown in place, it will be much easier to establish a baseline to see what is going on .

It is also important to realize that it is difficult to give you specific recommendations without having seen you in person. But, if the tooth is damaged or compromised, then it may be difficult to place a new crown. A dental implant is a legitimate option to replace the broken tooth. You mentioned that budget may be an issue. But, a dental implant is a permanent solution to replace a missing tooth.

Now, if you don’t have an aggressive bite that causes a lot of stress, then a dental post may be used to help support a crown. Even if there isn’t that much of the natural tooth left, it is possible that a post could help support it.

Thank you for reaching out with your story, and I’m sorry to hear you are having to go through all this. It is also important to mention at this point, that you may need to find a reputable implant dentist in your area. Most general or family dentists don’t have the necessary skills or training to successfully place a dental implant. Also, placing a post in your situation is also something that needs to be given special attention. The post would need to endure and support rotational forces, and that can also be tricky. Posts are round, and lateral incisors are also somewhat round, so if there is any twisting force, it may end up loosening the crown over time. All that to be said, it would be wise to get a second opinion, after meeting with an implant dentist so you can weigh out all your options.

Thank you for reaching out. Hopefully, this information will be helpful as you determine what the next steps are, and what is best for you.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Dr. Rick Lane.

I don’t want a missing tooth! Does it really need to be extracted?

Posted on July 12, 2021 by goodtooth.

I had a crown placed on one of my teeth when I was a kid. I fell off my bike and hit the curb. The result was that part of my tooth broke off. At my last routine dentist appointment, my dentist told me that there is an infection starting underneath the crown. I did notice a small white bubble under my tooth. It kind of reminded me of a pimple on my gums. This makes me concerned and now the dentist is telling me that I need to have the tooth extracted. Does this sound right? From my initial research, it looks like a root canal treatment should work for a situation like this. Does this sound like a dental emergency? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

~Kendra in Connecticut

Kendra,

It is in your best interest to get a second opinion. Some dentists are too eager to remove teeth, even when it’s not entirely necessary. There are many dentists out there that feel differently and will do everything possible to save a tooth. It is difficult for us to give you specific advice without having seen you in person. So, a second opinion is best to either confirm the recommended treatment plan or to provide you with other treatment options.

It is possible that your dentist is correct and that the tooth should be extracted. However, your dentist should have done a better job explaining the rational behind the recommendation. If you get another opinion and you receive the same recommendation, be sure to ask more questions about why a root canal and a dental crown will not work.

There are circumstances where there is too much of the natural tooth that has suffered decay, so a root canal won’t be successful. Or it is possible that the teeth that surround the tooth have drifted or moved out of place, so there isn’t adequate space to fix the tooth. With any kind of dental treatment it is fine to get a second or even a third opinion.

Back in dental school, we learned about the statistics for how many teeth are lost due to gum disease compared to how many are lost from tooth decay. Some dentists feel that there are dentists that are far too eager to extract a tooth. For example, there was a well-known dentist back in the 80s who was affiliated with the American Dental Association, and he was very passionate about saving teeth versus extracting them. His take on it and rational was along the lines of, “You know why so many teeth are lost? Because dentists take them out.” There may be some truth to that. But, it is also possible that many dentists don’t have the high level of skill required to successfully restore a tooth. A porcelain crown on a front tooth can be difficult and it takes extensive training beyond dental school to place a crown on a front tooth that is not only aesthetically-pleasing, but one that functions well.

Also, saving teeth is hard work. There are many factors at play with root canal treatments. In fact, an endodontist is a dentist that specializes in root canal treatments. So, not every dentist is equipped to do a root canal, or a porcelain crown on such a visible area. And then if the tooth really does need to come out due to factors that will not yield a successful result, a dental implant is the best treatment to replace a missing tooth. It will be anchored into your jawbone, which stimulates healthy bone and it will prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting around. A dental implant also looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. So, if you end up with an extracted tooth once this is all said and done, you should schedule a consultation with an experienced implant dentist. Again, not every general dentist has the skills required to successfully place dental implants. It is not a recognized specialty area within dentistry. So, if you end up considering a dental implant to replace the extracted tooth, it would be wise to get multiple opinions.

Thank you for reaching out. Hopefully, this information is helpful as you determine the next steps and what is best for you.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Dr. Rick Lane.

What are my options to replace missing teeth?

Posted on March 26, 2021 by goodtooth.

Unfortunately, I am missing several teeth from a couple different issues. I was in an accident a few years ago and had a couple teeth get knocked out. Then, I have another tooth that ended up getting decay underneath an old crown. There wasn’t enough of the natural tooth left to support the crown any longer. So, I ended up losing that tooth too.

I want to start improving my smile by getting the missing teeth replaced. So I have started researching information about dental implants. But, they seem to be very expensive. My dentist recommends them of course. Are they the best option to replace missing teeth, or is my dentist trying to make an extra buck? Please let me know what my options are for this kind of a situation.

-Bart in Indiana

Bart,

Thank you for reaching out with your questions about options to replace missing teeth. As your dentist recommended, dental implants truly are the best solution to replace several missing teeth for many reasons. Yes, they are more expensive than other alternatives. But, when compared to other treatment plans, they do act just like your natural teeth. Not only will they look just like a natural tooth, but they will function just like them.

You didn’t mention how old you are in your inquiry. But, it is important to realize that as time goes on (10-20 years) you will experience bone loss where you no longer have teeth present. This can create a whole host of problems down the road. However, dental implants prevent the shifting of teeth into those empty spaces, as well as any bone loss. This is because the implant post is surgically implanted into the jawbone which will prevent the bone loss. When people experience bone loss, their chewing efficiency declines and they appear much older than they really are.

There are some cases when you may not be a dental implant candidate. For example, if you are a smoker or in poor general health, they may not work well for you. You also didn’t mention if your missing teeth are all together or if they are spaced throughout your mouth. Depending on the location of the missing teeth, you may be able to use a dental bridge, which is anchored in place by your surrounding teeth. But this doesn’t prevent the bone loss from taking place in those empty spaces, and it also requires shaving down the surrounding healthy teeth to prepare them for crowns because that is how the fake tooth that fills the gap is supported. A dental bridge is indeed less expensive. But, it may not be best in the long term.

If budget is a determining factor, it is possible that you could get a partial denture, which is removable. Or you could learn more to see if a bridge will work for the location of your missing teeth. As far as price goes, a partial denture is the least expensive option to replace missing teeth. And it should be disclosed that most denture patients aren’t happy with the end result. Patients can experience an uncomfortable fit with any kind of denture, and it may cause sore areas in your mouth. Some people also complain of having issues with chewing and eating. All that said, a partial will look OK. But, your quality of life will be much more improved if you choose dental implants to replace your missing teeth.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this will give you some more information to help you determine the right fit for you. Lastly, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion by a reputable implant dentist in your area. Then, you will be able to compare treatment plans. But don’t use price as the final factor when selecting your dentist. Not every dentist has the training and high level of skill to successfully place dental implants.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Rick Lane, DDS.

Broken front tooth and now they want to pull more.

Posted on January 20, 2021 by goodtooth.

I had an accident and pretty much landed on my face. One of my front teeth that I had to get dental bonding on years ago, ended up breaking nearly all the way off this time. I went to see a dentist who wants to pull the remainder of that broken tooth and also pull other front teeth so I can get a partial denture. I am in my thirties and my gut tells me that there has to be other options. A removable partial denture for my front teeth sounds mortifying. There has to be another option. I am willing to pay whatever it takes. Do I need to see a cosmetic dentist for other options? The dentist wouldn’t listen to me when I said I do not want my teeth pulled! Am I right in thinking that my other teeth that don’t have other problems shouldn’t be pulled out? Please tell me you have another option for me!

-Rebecca in Indiana

Rebecca,

Dentists vary on their experience and philosophies when it comes to saving teeth. This does not sound like the right approach or the right dentist for you. There are other options. But, it would not be in your best interest to try and convince this dentist of another treatment plan. He sounds pretty convinced that you need a partial denture. It’s time to get a second opinion because there are other ways to treat a situation like this one. Some dentists are happy to pull a tooth, since providing another treatment plans requires a higher skill level and in some case it means added risk. In other words, it’s time to move on.

It is difficult to give you specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. A partial denture is an inexpensive solution and since you mentioned you are willing to pay for the right treatment plan, you definitely need to explore your options. An expert cosmetic dentist may be able to put a porcelain crown over the broken tooth. But, depending on the complexity or severity of the tooth in question, a dental implant may be the best choice.

A dental implant is a permanent solution to replace a missing tooth. So, if it turns out that the tooth indeed does need to be extracted, an implant will look, feel and function just like a natural tooth. Also, it will not impact any of the surrounding healthy teeth. So, here’s what you should do. Get multiple opinions from reputable implant dentists in your area. Many will provide a free consultation for something like this. So, get at least a couple different opinions to determine if the tooth is salvageable or not. Then, you’ll be able to compare treatment plans and find a dentist that you can trust.

A broken front tooth isn’t an easy fix, but you don’t need to feel like you don’t have any options. You can rest assured that you have options. Don’t settle for substandard care or feel pushed into any kind of treatment.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Dr. Rick Lane.

Will my gums look normal again above my dental implant?

Posted on June 30, 2020 by goodtooth.

I had a dental implant placed recently on one of my front teeth, and the gum around the tooth doesn’t look right. The dentist recommended I get temporary crown and told me that the gum would drop back down to the normal position when it was in place.

Is this normal for it to drop back down after a temporary crown? In my opinion, it is quite obvious that I now have a fake tooth, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid. I spent nearly $6,000 and I expected it to blend in with my other teeth.

At this point I am regretting getting the dental implant done. I honestly feel like the flipper I had before looked better than this weird-looking dental implant that makes my gums look funny and uneven, like I have now.

Do I need to see a cosmetic dentist at this point? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

-Marty in North Carolina

Marty,

It is a good practice to have the temporary crown placed. It will give you a better idea to see if the gum will indeed grow down toward the tooth. However, it sounds like a long shot. It is doubtful that it will grow that much. It is in your best interest to insist that the temporary crown look exactly how you’d like it to before the permanent crown in bonded in place. This is good for many reasons. It gives you a chance to see how it will look and feel. Also, it gives you a better idea to see if indeed you’re getting what you expected and also what you paid for. You deserve to have a lifelike smile that looks natural.

When you smile, you want your teeth and gums to appear symmetrical. This is especially important across your front teeth that show when you smile. In some cases, a patient may say that they don’t show their gums when they smile, so it doesn’t matter. Spend some time looking in the mirror and see what you think. Make the biggest smile you can and see if the gum line is visible and shows the unevenness. If it isn’t something that shows, then it’s up to you about how important it is to get it right. But, if they show when you smile, or if you are constantly thinking about it or feel self-conscious, then it needs to be addressed.

The dental implant procedure definitely takes some time. If some time has passed since the surgery took place and the gums aren’t looking the way you expected, there is a possibility you may require additional surgical intervention to remedy the situation. But, the dentist should make it right. You expected things to look natural, and that is what you paid for.

A cosmetic dentist may also help in this situation. The side note that you may not realize is that cosmetic dentistry is not a regulated field within dentistry. That means any dentist can say they are a cosmetic dentist without any additional training beyond dental school. So, be sure to take a close look at their credentials and ask to see some examples of their work, including their cases done on the front teeth that show when they smile.

Whatever happens, you shouldn’t have to settle or get used to the way your gums look. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion for cosmetic dentistry or continuing to make requests to the dentist who placed the dental implant. You should have a smile you can feel good about and not hide when you smile.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this information is helpful to you as you consider the next steps.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Dr. Rick Lane.

Looking for a metal-free dentist for options on a cavity.

Posted on June 20, 2019 by goodtooth.

I am really working at being natural and holistic in my diet and daily hygiene care. At my last dentist appointment several months ago, I was told that I have a small cavity. Since then, I have been trying to heal it on my own using natural methods.

I don’t really feel or notice any change. And I would like to avoid having it filled with harmful material and have been considering seeing a metal-free dentist or a holistic-focused one. Do you think they will be supportive of my goal to heal the cavity through nutrition and other natural approaches?

-Bernard in Oregon

Bernard,

As of now, there are not any nutrition practices or supplements that have proven to be effective in healing a cavity. A holistic dentist will encourage the use of non-toxic dental products and practices. However, you may be disappointed to find out that they likely won’t support the “natural” healing of a cavity. There is a lot of information online about different theories. Some people may have reported their personal success. But, none of these claims have been documented or supported by the medical or science community. There are studies out there around the possibility of regrowing teeth. But, that relies on the use of stem cells and is very early on in the research and development phase.

Example of how composite fillings blend in with your natural teeth.

As you are aware, silver amalgam fillings contain mercury and other metals. A mercury-free dentist does have metal-free options using composite material. These white fillings blend in with the natural structure of your tooth and are bonded to them using sophisticated technology and bonding materials. When these composite fillings are done by an experienced dentist, they may be an option to fill the tooth in a way that avoids any materials you feel have the potential to be harmful. A dentist that prioritizes holistic practices will also be able to safely remove any old amalgam fillings in a safe environment.

It is not recommended to continue on the path to natural healing if it has been determined that the tooth has a cavity. Even though you may not feel any difference at this time, if it is left untreated, the cavity may end up to be a bigger problem than if it was taken care of early on. The decay could increase and over time, you may require more invasive treatment like a dental crown or a root canal.

If you refuse to treat the tooth, it would be wise to have a dentist at least monitor it. Then, it can be evaluated and measured so you can be sure you won’t get to a point where you are in pain or end up in a situation where you may lose the tooth.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully this information by Petaluma dentist Rick Lane, DDS is beneficial to you.

Will a metal-free dentist help me figure out what I’m allergic to?

Posted on April 17, 2019 by goodtooth.

I am wondering if I should have seen a metal-free dentist years ago. It has been about three years since I got several porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns done. I started to have a bunch of problems since then. I clench my jaw, always feel tense and grind my teeth. When I went back to the dentist, he gave me a nightguard to help with the grinding.

Also, I don’t know how to explain it, but I have this constant sensation in the roof of my mouth. It is weird and the best way to describe it is it feels itchy. I’m starting to think I may be allergic to the metal in the crowns. Have you ever heard of something like this? I’ve had gold crowns in the past with no issues.

All the grinding is damaging my other healthy teeth. Does this sound like a metal allergy? Could a metal-free dentist help me?

-Ed in Kansas

Ed,

Thank you for your question. First off, you need to know that it is extremely difficult to provide you with specific recommendations without having seen you in person.

But, from what you have described, it sounds like you are dealing with a couple different issues.

It is possible that the itchy sensation you have described could be from the metal in the crowns, which could be from a metal allergy. The best thing to do is find out as much information as you can about the composition of the metal in the crowns. The laboratory should have provided this information to the dentist. It tells the dentist the composition of the alloy. If there is “Ni” listed, it means there is nickel in the crowns. Many people are allergic to nickel.

Do you have any other issues with metal products like earrings or buttons on clothing? This could be a sign that you are allergic.

Also, the dentist should have done a full metal history before placing the crowns. The dentist should have inquired about any metal sensitivities before the initial treatment. If this is flagged, then the dentist knows to avoid nickel containing metals.

image of a man looking frustrated looking at the ground

The metals without nickel typically are more expensive. The gold crown you mentioned would have been in this category. Also, there are metals available with a higher level of platinum in them, which makes them better for molding to the tooth. Then, there are other options out there with a higher silver content. Each category works better for varying treatments and also differ in their level of quality.

If it is determined that you are indeed allergic to the crowns, they should be redone.

Also, the biting, grinding and clenching sounds like it may be caused from the crowns too. This is separate from the possible metal allergy. But, crowns or any dental work can disrupt your bite. When you body senses that something is off, it will try to correct it. Often, the result is grinding and clenching your teeth. If this is left untreated, it could result in issues with your temporomandibular (TMJ) joint. The nightguard should help with that. Also, you can have the crowns adjusted to hopefully correct this problem.

As you mentioned, this could be troublesome for your other healthy teeth. So, you need to get back into the dentist and have these issues addressed.

Rick Lane, DDS is a Petaluma dentist that is experienced with metal-free dentistry. Hopefully, this information is helpful and points you in the right direction to resolve your problems.

My crown broke off after only three months!

Posted on January 21, 2019 by goodtooth.

I had a root canal done three months ago and a porcelain crown. Well, last night the crown came off and ended up breaking completely off the post. Is there anything that can be done? I can’t believe it’s only been a few months since the work was done. Is the dentist responsible for something like this? I’m freaking out because I feel helpless right now!

-Jake in New Hampshire

Jake,

This is an unfortunate situation. It is difficult to give you specific recommendations without having more information or seeing your case. However, from what you have described, it sounds like the crown may have broke off at the gumline. This is of course speculation. But, based on what you said, if the crown came off and the post is broken, there is a good possibility that your tooth is also broken. If these assumptions are correct, you are in a tough spot. There probably wasn’t a lot of your natural tooth left to start with. Also, if the crown and post have failed, there is a good chance that the tooth is not salvageable.

Now, it is possible that the post was weak. That would be the best case scenario. If that was the case, the post was weak and can be redone.

There are some patients that have a condition that is referred to as “gorilla bite” where one bites down with excessive force. Then, after a certain age, the teeth begin to suffer. Patients with gorilla bite tend to break any restoration a dentist puts in their mouth. Now, it sounds like the dentist was trying to do everything possible to save the tooth by doing the root canal treatment in the first place. So, let’s assume he didn’t do anything ill-intentioned. If that is indeed the situation and the treatment only lasted a few months, most dentists will feel obligated to take care of some of the cost to repair or replace it.

To begin, contact your dentist and explain the situation. Be prepared that you will likely require a more extensive treatment plan than originally intended. For example, you may require a dental bridge or the ideal treatment would be a dental implant to replace the tooth. Hopefully, the dentist does the right thing and credits you toward your new treatment plan.

Now, the only way a dentist has legal responsibility is if he or she did something wrong. Based on what you’ve shared, it isn’t clear one way or the other.

Lastly, if you are someone with “gorilla bite”, then you may need a night guard to help protect your new restoration. A night guard is a hard plastic appliance that is worn overnight to protect you from subconscious clenching, biting or grinding.

Hopefully, this gives you some insight into what’s going on here.

Good luck!

This post is sponsored by a Rick Lane, DDS, a dentist in Petlauma.

Looking for crowns that are metal-free.

Posted on September 10, 2018 by goodtooth.

I am looking for a metal-free dentist because I am very health-conscious and try to be extremely careful with what I put in my body. I see a natural-focused doctor for my overall health and I was told I need a crown and am very concerned about having any type of metal placed in my teeth. The dentist mentioned that a CEREC crown may work well for me. However, I am having a hard time researching what a CEREC crown is actually comprised of.

My natural doctor said I shouldn’t even consider a crown and should have the tooth pulled. But, I really don’t want to do that, unless it’s my only choice. I want to avoid metal and lithium, mainly due to a thyroid condition. When I asked my dentist about what was in the crown, he didn’t seem like my concern was valid. He basically said I’d be fine and not to worry.

Do you know how I go about finding a metal-free dentist or at least learning more about CEREC crowns and if they are safe for my thyroid? If I wait too much longer, the tooth will probably need to be extracted anyway.

Thanks for your time.

-Paula in Connecticut

Paula,

Your concern is valid and it doesn’t sound like this dentist is willing or trying to understand your preferences. Unfortunately, it will be very difficult to avoid metal ions completely with CEREC crowns. However, you will be able to avoid a metal base, as the traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This treatment uses a metal base layer and porcelain is baked on the metal framework. However, there are all-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns, which eliminates the metal base.

How CEREC Crowns are Made

A CEREC crown is milled from a special machine from a block of tooth-colored material. It is shaped into the exact replica of your tooth and permanently bonded in place. However, it will almost be impossible to avoid all metal ions. There are many forms of tooth-colored material available to the dentist. One typical block uses lithium disilicate. To date, the presence of lithium in dental restorations hasn’t been tested specifically to thyroid issues. But, there is no evidence that documents issues with the thyroid either.

Metal-Free Dental Restorations

However, there are metal-free dentists around that share your sentiments. You may need to expand your geographic search if this is extremely important to you. But, any dentist that offers all-porcelain crowns would be an option because it is metal-free. The dentist will take the impression and send it to the dental laboratory where the all-porcelain crown will be fabricated. This sounds like it may be your best option.

You should be able to find a dentist that understands your health concerns and you shouldn’t settle for a tooth extraction if at all possible.

Thank you for your question.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Rick Lane.