Implant & Braces

[smelbourne]

Hi all,
I currently have a crown on my top centre incisor. The root upon which the crown is attached has developed a fracture and as a result, the crown frequently falls out and food gets trapped between the gums and the edge of the crown. This has caused bleeding and inflammation in the gums in that area. I need to have the root of the tooth extracted and a dental implant installed. I also want braces. I was told that an orthodontist can place a fake tooth on the braces where the extracted tooth used to be. Has anyone had this procedure before?
Thanks.

[ashesgap]

We actually had a discussion about that a while back. Quite a few of us will have them on our retainers, but didn't know if having them on the braces is possible. If I was you I'd make sure to ask the ortho specifically about that, before he put on the braces. There are other ways to hold the space open during treatment, but I can see why you'd want something resembling a tooth in the front there.
Let us know what you find out

[smelbourne]

Thanks for the info ashesgap. I've seen the ortho. He says the ortho treatment for my overjet is fairly straight forward. The root with the crown is infected and has split so that needs to come out. He'll try to leave half of the root in the bone if possible to minimise boneloss but it looks like I'll need a bone graft. Until I get the braces installed I'll have to wear a denture. He'll to glue a fake tooth on the braces when it does go on. An implant will be installed when is satisfied that there is sufficient bone in the jaw to support an implant.

[Happy Gappy]

Hi Smelbourne!

A fellow Australian on here. I'm in a frustrating situation myself and something you said made me kinda go yee ha! I'm getting braces fixed/applied on the 11th Jan and yesterday I had to have 2 baby teeth (I'm 28...) which were my canines...upper. So visualise 2 gaps RIGHT in the front on New Year's Eve. Excellent. I saw you mentioned that you might be getting an implant? Likewise I might have to get 2 implants if my permanent/adult teeth decide not to come down. But you also mentioned that your ortho can put a fake tooth on your braces? THAT IS WHAT I NEED so I am not a cartoon character. How did you go about asking your ortho? Was he/she alright about it? You've given me hope that I might be able to get it too. Do you have to do/pay anything extra? Teach me your ways!

Please write back soon. There's nothing quite like feeling the breeze between your teeth...Literally.

Thanks!

[smelbourne]

Hi Happy Gappy,
I was made aware of the fake-tooth-attached-to-braces possibility when enquiring about an implant. I was quoted $5500 for the ortho inclusive of the fake tooth so I don't think it cost any extra.

I had my front top incisor extracted just before Christmas and I'm now wearing a temporary denture to disguise the gap. It's not much fun but at least I can face people. I'll have to put up with the denture until my braces goes in. I'll let you know how it goes.