Question by What Dreams May Come: Since she caused it, if I wind up needing dental work, should I make my mom pay for it? Should I press charges?
Last year my mom and I got in a fight, over the fact that I bought the wrong kind of cream cheese no less, but then it escalated from there because she let her anger get *way* out of hand(trust me, I see a kind of hate in this womans eyes sometimes that I wonder how she ever got through being a mother). But anyway, that’s not the point, I know she has major issues, the point is it escalated to the point that she cold-clocked me in the mouth and my front tooth was loose for about a week. It’s now been almost a year, and my tooth has securely re-attached, but it’s not 100% the same. It’s not dark dark, but it’s darker than the other front tooth, like…my friend asked me the other day “why is your tooth brown?” but then said “you can’t really notice unless you look close”. Also, it doesn’t hurt at all, and it’s not sensitive, but if I apply pressure to it with my thumb just to see how it’s doing or whatever, the other tooth doesn’t feel the pressure at all and that one does.

So, also, I *know* this is superficial, but still…I’m a stage musician. Aside from talent, my image *is* my career. If it were any other tooth, like a back molar or something, Id just say “whatever. do what you need to do.”, but this is a *front* tooth! I know it’s possible it may be dead, but if it is that means I’d have to get an implant, right? I can’t afford that right now, and I certainly do *NOT* want to trash my career and look like some backwoods hillbilly. But…fast forward to now…and we recently find out my mom has cancer. Not only would that make me feel terrible if I squeeked money out of her and then she died, but she needs money for her treatments. So what do you think? Considering SHE caused this, should I still make her pay for all dental work it requires?

And, also…I know they can make implants look pretty real, but can they make it look just like the tooth that was there, so no-one could ever tell? I don’t think so. So if they do that and it looks any different than the tooth that’s there, could I/should I sue her for damages? I mean, I know that’s my mother and all, and I know she has cancer to worry about, but no matter what *I* have to live inside *MY* life for the whole rest of it, regardless of her…I can’t just let her wreck it like that. (and please don’t go into the “well you can always compose film music, or do voice-overs…I am a *stage* musician. Performing is what I do.)

Thanks. (=

Best answer:

Answer by sarah a
I’m in dental school. I’m not really sure what you’re going to do about your moral issue, but as far as the tooth is concerned, another option for a “dead tooth” is a root canal. This would remove the dead part of the pulp tissue and fill it with an inert material.

The color can also be changed with this method. You can ask the root canal specialist (endodontist) about “internal bleaching” of the tooth. This is when they put bleaching material inside the root of the tooth. The bleach is then absorbed by the tooth and it lightens the color on the out side so it hopefully matches the tooth next to it.

The root canal procedure also has benefits over the implant, as it will not look different in shape or change the appearance of the gums around the tooth. I would talk to your dentist about the root canal and internal bleaching before you decide on implants. Plus, a root canal and internal bleaching is much cheaper than an implant.

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Please read other answers to this question at the very bottom of this page, below you will find a video and related articles that will try to answer the question, if you have a proper answer please post it at the bottom.

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Advancement in Dental Implants Procedure

Dental implants are not all the same. Normally any dental implant less than 2.5mm in diameter is referred to as a mini dental implant. But just because they are diminutive in size doesn’t mean the results cannot be spectacular for certain categories of patients.
Dr. Brueggen has placed hundreds of mini dental implants. When used to help keep a lower denture in place they have proven themselves to be dependable and durable. This is not the case with uppers and their use should be avoided in the upper arch.

When asked; what is the preferred solution. Regular dental implants or mini dental implants Dr. Brueggen responds: “Usually regular dental implants. Their size provides more strength and greater anchoring to the jaw and much more sophisticated attachments to secure the denture to the dental implant.”"Additionally a mini dental implant should rarely in ever be used for any purpose other than to help hold a lower denture in place.” “Traditional dental implants offer many more restorative choices than mini dental implants”.
However, Dr. Brueggen says that every case must be evaluated on its’ own merits and mini dental implants are sometimes the treatment of choice.

Two examples would be:

1.    Cost – some patients, especially elderly folks already wearing a lower denture, cannot afford the cost of traditional implants.
2.    Health – some patients have health issues that make implant surgery too risky. Mini dental implants can be placed with only light local anesthesia and no incisions or stitches.
Mini dental implants can be placed quickly and since they require no incision or stitches they are ideal for certain cases. Additionally an existing denture can frequently be used further reducing time and cost and an equally exciting feature is that the denture can be secured by the mini dental implants the same day they are placed. A denture cannot usually be secured by regular dental implants for 4 to 6 months after they are placed.

Since no incision or surgery is required for mini dental implants, they offer an ideal dental treatment option to high risk groups, including:

1. Heart patients with a recent surgery
2. People with severe diabetes
3. Those who want their lower denture to be more firm
4. Those with a limited budget for other options
5. Those who are regular smokers
6. People with blood clot problems
7. Those getting bisphosphonate treatments or medicines for osteoporosis

Benefits of Mini Dental Implants

The benefits of mini dental implants can be stated as follows:
1.    Easy Procedure
2.    Reliability
3.    Great Functional Value
4.    Affordable Price
Every patient wearing a lower denture owes it to themselves to at least have it secured by mini dental implants

According to dental researchers, advanced research and superior technology will bring radical changes in the dental care industry during the 21st century.

Dental implants are the most notable of these changes. Thirty years ago they were considered “quackery”. Now they are the “gold standard” for replacing one or a full mouth of missing teeth.

Most dentists agree that dental implants are a great example of advanced dental care technology. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that replaces a patient’s missing natural tooth root. It constitutes an ideal treatment option for those who have lost one or more teeth in the upper and or lower jaw due to accident, gum disease or some another traumatic experience. Whether missing only one or two teeth or all of your teeth, dental implants have become the standard of care for replacing them. New technologies, new implant designs, and new procedures have consistently made the use of dental implants quicker, easier, more reliable, and more affordable.

Dentures have been in use for more that 30 years. However, dental implants long ago surpassed dentures in providing a reliable treatment option for those missing all of their teeth. Fixed and removable bridges were once the standard of care for one or a few missing teeth. No more; now single unit dental implants are used to replace one or a few missing teeth and do so without causing damage to remaining teeth. This minimizes the need for further corrective dentistry and the future cost and discomfort associated with it.

There are two basic approaches for placing and reconstructing dental implants. One is called immediate load, the other delayed load. With the immediate load technique a tooth or teeth are built on one or more dental implant the same day the implant is placed. The All on 4 technique is an example of immediately loading. Remaining bad teeth are removed, implants are place, and the patient leaves that day with a new set of natural looking and functioning non removable teeth. Delayed loading is commonly used when only one or two teeth require replacement. Because of bio-engineering concepts related to force and stress vectors it is often best to let single dental implants integrate for 4 to 6 months before they are loaded. A common exception to this single tooth delayed protocol is when a front tooth is lost by accident. In those cases, whenever possible, the remaining root is carefully removed, the implant is placed, and a temporary crown is secured to the implant all in one appointment. It is essential that this temporary crown not make contact with the other teeth when chewing but if that can be accomplished this technique can be used with excellent success and the patient leaves with an attractive smile. This is appropriate for front teeth were as it might not be for back teeth for two reasons:

2. The accidental loss of a front tooth results in a sudden and dramatic change to our appearance thus justifying the slightly increased risk [approximately 5%] associated with immediate implant placement and loading

So if you need a dental implant to replace a natural tooth either delayed or immediate loading will be options. An experienced Houston Dental Implantologist will be able to discuss the pros and cons of each method with you so you can make an informed decision.