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Single tooth denture.

(29 Posts)
shysal Mon 08-Jul-19 15:28:18

I have had a crown on a front tooth since I had an abscess many years ago which killed the tooth. It used to come loose frequently but then stayed put for years. It has come out now and the dentist has found that the root is split so it is unlikely to hold for long.
The options are:
Implant, can't justify the cost (at least £2000).
Bridge, adjacent teeth not very strong to support one.
Single tooth denture which he calls a flipper (£230)
He recommends the flipper but I don't relish the thought of one. Has anyone got one and how do they get on with it? I don't show my top gum much unless I really grin, but will it be very obvious? There will be a small lip in front and behind.
Nothing will be done until the crown comes loose again, so I will be very careful for now.
I am very lucky with my dentist. He went private some years ago but vowed to only charge NHS prices, which is great.

shysal Sat 20-Jul-19 07:42:20

After investigating further it looks like the flipper is a temporary tooth on a plate, which I will wear when the root has been removed and is healing. I have decided to ask if there is any way I could have a bridge rather than a denture. He said it would be difficult, but didn't say impossible. I really don't want to spend a huge chunk of my savings on an implant.
My re-cemented crown is holding so far but I can detect a slight wobble. The work will be done when it falls out or becomes very loose.

Alexa Sat 20-Jul-19 11:29:29

My flipper with two teeth, one upper central and one upper lateral , stays in place excellently well without hooks. I can eat apples and toffees with it.

I don't know if the flipper would wedge in so well with two adjacent teeth but it might. Maybe people with high palates keep their false teeth in better than those with shallow palates. I'd not worry about the acrylic "lip" that covers your gum. I'd say it's hardly noticeable , especially with two adjacent false teeth.

tiredoldwoman Sat 20-Jul-19 11:33:02

I had the same thing happen to my old crown , the root split and fell out , was given a temporary flipper whilst a bridge was being planned ( lots of visits and money ! ) A year later the tooth on the bridge fell off and a different dentist was appalled at the work , whipped it off as it ' wasn't suitable for my bite ' then stuck the original flipper back in ! That was 6 years ago , pissed off at the expense back then but that seems to be the end of the story , flipper or nothing ! It flips about right enough and we're not the best of friends . Will try fixative .