Hello folks, I am hoping to get an honest answer from mustachian dentists or those who have their facts strait.
I am an older man with a troubling #18 tooth (at least my dentist says it's #18...it's all the way back on the left side/lower).
Maybe 10 years ago, I cracked the tooth with a stale protein bar. My dentist nursed it with fillings, then it was eventually "posted and crowned". Then about 2 years ago, it was root canaled (good up until now). Now, it needs to be pulled.
My inclination: Pull the sucker (requires oral surgeon due to the size of the tooth...), and leave it. I am not particularly concerned about my chewing ability.
My dentist says: If you pull it and leave it, the tooth above it will tend to grow into where the old tooth is. Also, it might adversely impact your jawline. Best to have implant surgery with a crown. BTW, my dentist does not do impants. I have some in the front, they have worked out well, but are freagin super expensive...
Is this a bunch of quackery/BS? Thanks.