Dental bridge, 'flipper' or crown?

I need a root canal on a front tooth. The crown alone is going to be $1000 not to mention the $1000 for the work :*( I am soooo poor, I can't afford this and I can't go to the nearest college to save money as it would be almost at much before you factor in gas for FIVE trips!





Anyhow, they suggest a 'flipper' and dh suggested a bridge. What do you all suggest? I hate tooth problems :(

Dental bridge, 'flipper' or crown?
The bridge would not be my first choice.





First off, if this is one of your 2 large front teeth, this needs to be at least a 4 unit bridge. A lateral tooth, which is the small teeth next to the 2 large centrals, is not big enough to be an abutment on a bridge. I would really question any dentist who would be willing to abut a bridge on a lateral. A four unit bridge would cost you way more than the rootcanal and why shave down healthy teeth, assuming they are healthy, just to replace one tooth?





A flipper is just a piece of pink acrylic with a tooth attached to it. You really shouldn't eat with these, because if you put too much pressure on them, like by biting down on your front teeth, it is going to break. Even if they could somehow repair it, it probably won't last long. I have seen numerous flippers repaired, and they never last that long after the repair because they are just too weak after the break.





If you just can't afford the rootcanal and crown, I personally would go for the flipper, and then save up money over the next year or so and have an implant put in. Implants can last up to 30+ years and you are not sacrificing the adjacent teeth.
Reply:bridge or crown...a flipper is a removeable thooth that covers the inside of the roof of your mouth
Reply:In my experience as an assistant, people have never been comfortable with flippers.





Ask your dentist if they offer payment options, such as Care Credit or somethis comparable. If they don't, you may want to try to find an office that offers this.