2nd Opinions Sought: Even American Legends Need Counsel, Yo.

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bvb

Social climber

flagstaff arizona

Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 17, 2012 - 04:58pm PT

Not that I can expect a straight answer from a bunch of f*#ked-up lunatics like you guys, but whatever...

So I was born with shitty teeth. Luck of the draw. I've had 8 teeth crowned and three root canaled/Crowned. Throw in four years of braces and innumerable fillings and I've easily got $30,000 invested in my choppers.

When I was 18, I got my first two crowns. They were full gold crowns, and after all these years they are still going strong. Since then, I've had crowns of composite resin, ceramic porcelains, CAD/CAM's (Spendy, fast, and failed in, like, three years) and so on. Over the years many of these crowns failed and had to be replaced. I'm lucky so far -- I've still got all my teeth, but the f*#kers are cobbled together with the world's most expensive duct tape and baling wire.

With the exception of those gold caps, the failure rate on these spendy little units has been mind-blowing. They crack. They break. They leak. They pop off. They suck, but wadda ya gonna do?

So, now I need another crown, pronto. Problem is this is a front-and-center tooth (#7, upper jaw, between the big center choppers and the canine.) I am loath to use anything but gold anymore, but on the other hand I'm not exactly sure I want to look like...whatever the hell it is you look like when you flash a gold tooth everytime you smile.

I've got full dental, so cost is not an issue. I'm just afraid of scaring my kids..!

What would YOU do, in my situation?

Roger Breedlove

climber

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:03pm PT

Interesting, Bob. My wife and I both have good teeth, but have needed a few crowns. They are all the synthetic type. We haven't had any issues. I have no idea why the gold crowns would last longer. I think they are make the same way and glued on. Have you always used the same dentist?

Gary

climber

That Long Black Cloud Is Coming Down

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:03pm PT

Go for the gold, baby!

divad

Trad climber

wmass

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:08pm PT

become a hockey player...

JEleazarian

Trad climber

Fresno CA

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:11pm PT

I've also "earned" a mouthful of crowns and, like Roger, have had very few issues with them. Several have lasted more than 20 years, and all since 1982 have been of material other than gold. I wonder if there are other issues at work here.

John

Reeotch

Trad climber

Kayenta, AZ

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:13pm PT

Yeah! go for the gold!
Maybe you could get the little dollar signs etched in at no cost.
(or better yet, an engraving of some dude in suspenders bouldering . . .)

bvb

Social climber

flagstaff arizona

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2012 - 05:21pm PT

Roger -- All my work has been performed by a menagerie of dentists from coast-to-coast over the decades. Noble Gold is universally regarded as the finest material for any dental work, but is generally reserved for the back teeth, for the obvious cosmetic reasons.

Looking like Flavor Flav is EXACTLY what spooks me. Not that appearing strange has ever bothered me in the past...but this is sort of irreversable. It's not like getting a poorly fitting suit, or an unfortunate haircut.

bvb

Social climber

flagstaff arizona

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2012 - 05:24pm PT

It isn't like you have job interviews 'n sh#t.

True dat, Wes. It's a little embarrasing to even have the self-absorbed narcissistic luxury of vexing over this. But I really do wonder if, like, Hanna will be embarrased to be seen with me. Truly.

Kyle, I already know he's just gonna think it's bitchin'.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:44pm PT

Isn't Micronut a dentist?

WBraun

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:48pm PT

Hanna will be embarrassed to be seen with me.

WTF ???? Having an American legend next to her.

WTF do they teach these modern "Golden Age" kids these days anyways ....

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:52pm PT

Is it obligatory for those who climbed in a golden age to have golden teeth?

tooth is a dentist also, IIRC.

If you have a gold crown/cap replaced, get the old one from the dentist - there are several grams of gold, and bits of other precious metals, in each, and with gold at US$1,700/ounce, you can get something for it.

Crowns and caps need to be replaced when broken or worn out, but also if the gum surrounding the base of the tooth has receded. So a lifetime of 20 years may be reasonable, although many things might shorten it. Gnashing your teeth at SuperTopo, for example.

Dentists usually prefer gold crowns on the back molars, as they get more wear and stress.

Off White

climber

Tenino, WA

Jan 17, 2012 - 08:26pm PT

Oh, but can there be any question what you should do?

Mungeclimber

Trad climber

sorry, just posting out loud.

Jan 17, 2012 - 08:52pm PT

Uh, Cadillac grills Cadillac mills
Check out the oil on my Cadillac spills

nah, ludacris grill ain't the way to go. Just normal people will gawk at the gold, nevermind the fam. Seen it happen with hispanic folks that have gold in the front. People may respond negatively.

if'n yer grindin the toofuses at night, maybe see if they can make the tooth a bit shorter than the others to alleviate pressure and reduce the risk of a failure down the road. Trouble is that's foolin with your normal bite pattern.

aside from that, don't chew on ice.

johntp

Trad climber

socal

Jan 17, 2012 - 08:59pm PT

Talk to hummermachine, a DDS. If you need his email address, send me a PM.

gonamok

climber

dont make me come over there

Jan 17, 2012 - 09:41pm PT

get em yanked out. Youd look very attractive as a toothless geezer

bvb

Social climber

flagstaff arizona

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2012 - 10:50pm PT

C'mon Ron, we all know you're just fishin' for a Gummer Hummer. ;-}

BOOM!

Wayno

Big Wall climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 17, 2012 - 11:01pm PT

Maybe you grind your teeth at night. Get a nightguard. Reduces snoring too. Ask your dentist.

BBA

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 11:26pm PT

The Zirconia crowns are supposed to be the hardest and best lasting. They are expensive. You may need to get that night guard or eliminate internalized stress/fear/rage from your life. I speak from experience.