Cap Replacement, Is it needed?

[hibuddy]

I have had two adjacent Crowns in my mouth for over 20 years with no problems.  Recently my dentist told me that he needed to remove and replace them both with new ones because one of them had a small ammount of decay at the base of the post and the reveil between them was not as tight as they could be.  I think the reveil is fine but it doesn't provide resistence to the floss when slidding between the crowns.  I have other Crowns and between teeth gaps that are much worse but he didn't say anything about them.  Is this a ligitimate concern and if the decay is slight, can the old crown be reused?  Also, why is the adjacent crown a problem?  This is at a cost of over $1000 out of pocket.  I'm getting a little concerned that the economy is causing profesional people to suggest procedured that are not necessary because their practices are not doing as well as they were in the past.  Any feedback will be apprecieated.

[Dana821]

The other thing that the dentist is concerned with is your smile line.  For example, if your smile is like Julia Roberts, where not only all your teeth show but quite a bit of the gum does too, the older 2nd crown may be showing it's age with a metal "margin", this is pretty typical of an older crown.  Remember your crowns are like shoes, occassionally they have to be changed otherwise they simply wear out from wear and tear!  20 years in dental field talking.  Thanks, Dana

[Dana821]

The second crown if located in the front part of your mouth may need replacement because the materials used today are extremely hard to match what was made 20 years ago, plus the second crown has had 20 years of coffee, tea, stains galore that he'd have to contend with.  This would be an estheic nightmare for your dentist.  This is most likely the reason why he wants to replace it but ask to be sure.  Good luck.

[lynn117]

you have to ask your dentist why the second crown needs to be replaced but the decayed one needs to be repaired. odds are the crown will be damaged when removed and may even have to be cut off so reusing is not an option. maybe you will get lucky and whatever issue he sees in the second tooth can either be eliminated or at least postponed to defray the immediate cost. good luck!