crown problem

[larandsandy]

Hi, I had a crown put on two years ago.  After the crown I could not eat on that side of my mouth because it hurt.  I eventually had a root canal done.  Now it has been around 8 months and I went today to a new dentist for a cleaning.  I have been having some gum pain and bleeding around the tooth next to the crown tooth.  She said that the crown was not shaped correctly and that it needs to be removed and remade.  I am not happy to hear this as it was not a pleasant experience.  She says that the crown is shaped to round and that it doesn't fit correctly to the tooth behind it.  That is why it is catching food and forming a pocket.  I was wondering if the crown can be filed down or adjusted to fit correctly without having to go through the whole procedure again.  It was expensive also, and I don't have another 1200 to put into this.  Thanks for your comments.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I do not think fillings have to be replaced because they are "old". If there is decay then I could understand the replacement, but I also feel if it ain't broke don't fix it.As far as the crown, you really can't  recontour the crown without doing irreparable damage to the crown.If it is doing damage to the gum tissue it has to be rectified.

[larandsandy]

I forgot to mention that this dentist also said that I needed to replace most of my fillings because they were old.  I do not have any problems whatsoever with any of the teeth that these fillings are in.  No pain, abcesses or anything.  I am tentative about fixing something that doesn't need fixing.  Your thoughts again are appreciated.