My dentist put a stainless steel post in my tooth with a root canal treatment and I really want it out and replaced with a zirconia one. I am not crazy about the idea of metal being in there, especially because I have some metal sensitivities. He said he doesn’t do the zirconia posts and that it is encased and I’m overreacting. I’ll admit that annoyed me. I’m just trying to figure out if it can be replaced before I try to find a new dentist. I currently have the temporary crown and the permanent one is coming in soon. I’d like to exchange this before that.
Caroline
Dear Caroline,
I’m surprised your dentist is still using a stainless steel post. Pre 1980s, the dental post of choice was stainless steel. However, in the 80s, we discovered that the metal ions in the post would leach through the tooth and into the bloodstream. Because stainless steel contains nickel, which many people have sensitivities to, this was concerning. It was around that time dentists switched to using titanium, which is the most biocompatible metal around. It’s been used for decades in prosthetics all over the human body. In the 1990s both carbon fiber and fiberglass were introduced. Now we also have the option of zirconia. Your dentist is decades behind in his treatment procedures so I do not think this is the best dentist for you.
These dental posts can be tricky to remove. It could possibly be removed with an ultrasonic tip, but there are risks that you should be aware of, including perforating the roots. If you believe you are having a reaction to this, then yes, you should exchange it for a different type of post. I would not trust your dentist to do this. He’s so behind in the field that I feel it is too risky to have him do it. I would recommend you see a root canal specialist.
Don’t allow your dentist to place the permanent dental crown. That will make it much more challenging to remove the post. Because of your metal sensitivities, if you do decide to look for a new family dentist, I am going to recommend you see one who has a more holistic approach to dental care. They’ll be more willing to tailor the treatments for your body’s requirements.
This blog is brought to you by Portage Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.