Case #1

Although a dead tooth can still function and appear like a live tooth, it will eventually become discolored and brittle. The longevity of a tooth with no nerve or blood flow is immediately compromised. After a nerve dies in a tooth either from trauma, infection, poor circulation, decay, or a combination of these reasons the tooth and it’s supporting bone and gums become potential problem areas. The tooth can easily chip or fracture and sometimes break off completely. An untreated dead tooth can often encourage or result in an abcess infection in or around the bone down at the root of the tooth. These infections can be painful or not, either way, if left untreated they are uncomfortable and very problematic.

Fortunately, this patient arrived in time to treat her tooth while it’s nerve was in the process of dying. The tooth was already beginning to darken and differentiate from her other teeth. Dr. Singer extracted the dead tooth and placed an immediate implant. The patient was fitted with a temporary crown while her impressions were sent to the lab in order for her final porcelain and zirconia crown to be produced. Photos, impressions, and study models were all sent to the lab so that the technicians would be able to match her new crown to rest of her teeth in a way that is undetectable to the untrained eye.

NOTE: The integrity of the gum line and how healthy it is around the implant site as indicated on the two-year post-operative photos.