Re: retained upper cuspid

demurali@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi,

I am 29 years old, and have a retained upper cuspid which is loose. The
permanent cuspid is behind it, in the palate, and I dont remember when
it erupted, but it looks like it is completely erupted. The baby tooth
has recently also developed a cavity on the inside.
My question is, is there any way this tooth can be saved? The gum has
been receding from it, so is that the cause of the loosening or is the
root completely gone? I have been chewing around it, and lightly
brushing it, and there seems to be no predicting how long it will last
this way (has been 4 months now, since I first felt the looseness). If
it cant be saved, should I just try to keep it for as long as I can?
I am not at all inclined to having orthodontics now to pull the
permanent cuspid into position (and, it seems a long way off). From
what I can see, all prosthetics have potential problems, but is it
possible to get a maryland or cantilever bridge? I am not keen on
having my bicuspid and lateral incisor, both perfectly healthy, ground
down for a bridge. Is there also any possibility of using the ectopic
cuspid as a support, or crowning it with a large crown to fill the gap
that will be left by the baby cuspid?

Thanks in advance for any helpful comments.



A photo would be helpful. Upper canines are important teeth, and while you say you want to avoid ortho treatment if your bite is otherwise good it might be a very simple correction.
The primary tooth no doubt has lost its root, and while there's no urgency other than your discomfort it will be lost sooner or later. Without a look, I'd say forget about replacing the primary tooth at least until you've had a chance to see an orthodontist.

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
.

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