Tooth #19: Can it be saved?

A few months ago, a 63 year old male presented himself at our office with swelling on the buccal of tooth #19. The swelling was causing him pressure and pain. Tooth #19 was Endodontically treated years prior to his visit at a different office. The patient recently had his crown redone.

It was highly suspected that there might be a fracture by both his general dentist and our office. The best course of action was to take a CT scan.

It was observed that there was an area of low density at the apex of the distal root. The CT also showed three areas high density, posts. These posts appeared at the coronal aspect of the tooth. There was a suggestion of a lesion in the furcation, a possible fracture. It was determined that long-term prognosis was poor. An implant was recommended.

We followed up with the patient and he had the tooth removed. This relived him of his discomfort. He's in the works of having an implant placed.

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Laser Endodontics LLC - Mary Ann Choby, DMD, MS

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