Resorative Work Following Implant

You said you went to get "fitted" for crown. I am assuming you were going for the impression appt? Generally they would take an impression of whats called an abutment. It is the post that is visible in your mouth. Do you have a post in your mouth that is visible at this time???The crown then slips over this post (just like a cap would slip over a prepared tooth for a normal crown)there are different sizes of abutments. Usually the dentist orders the abutment for the crown to be made off of. The lab makes the crown specific to this.(a good lab will know if a different abutment is needed to complete the crown) perhaps in your case the periodontist placed this abutment?? They do have different sizes. Sometimes if a tooth has been missing for a long time the one above it can supererupt (grown down) this could make clearance an issue. (but this should have been disc prior to the implant.)they should have know it would not be possible at that time. In that case you made need to have a crown placed on the tooth above to bring things in alignment for your bite. I would go back to the person who placed the implant and find out their opinion on clearance and if anything can be done--like changing the size of post. This is not a surgical problem, it just gets screwed into the exisiting post thats in the bone. You can always go to another dentist for a second opinion as well. Let me know if this helps.

Thanks for your reply. I have a flat "healing cap" in my mouth. My dentist said he had bought the necessary "hardware" and was going to make an impression for crown. But when he saw my mouth, he said there was no clearance for a tooth. I just set a consultation appt. (for a month from now) with a prosthodontist, one the few board certified ones in illinois. I'm hoping to get some expert advice from him.

I'm disappointed about the possibility of my opposing upper tooth needing to be crowned, too. Especially since the whole point of this was to save me from losing the upper tooth to begin with. I'm not sure I even want to continue with any so called restoration.

Thanks again for your time.

You've definately made the right choice going to the prosthodontist. Not everyone can afford the time or money to get an implant. Unfortunately I am not familiar with u.S. Prices (i am from canada and I only know our fee guide for things--and they are expensive!) I commend you for going this route. Hopefully they can sort things out. It may be worth it to get the apposing crown if that ends up being the case. I know its another big chunk of cash, but in the long run well worth it. Prosthodontist specialize in crowns and such, but also in dealing with the difficult cases like yours. I'm sure your in good hands. Maybe your dentist will give you a break moneywise on the crown. I still don't understand why you weren't told that this could be a possibility. If the dentist took a good look initially he should have been able to check how your bite would fit together--even before the implant was placed. I'm sure you'll get some options and answers next month. Good luck

Hey there.Sorry this is late,but have been away.Sounds like you did the right thing by seeing a prostho specialist.A well qualified restorative dentist would have done a thorough evaluation of your entire oral condition prior to implant placement and would have told you before you started the whole process that you would need additional work to make an implant possible in that location.It is not unusual to have to reduce/crown an opposing tooth in order to accommadate an implant,but you should know that before you start,so you can decide if you want to continue with an implant or not.Best to you.
Patty