Elite Prosthetic Dentistry
Success Story Hub

Second Opinion and Tooth Preservation Stories

Before committing to extractions or implants, some patients want one more set of specialist eyes. These cases show what that second look made possible, including natural teeth saved outright.

Request an Appointment Browse the full story library

A second opinion is not about doubting anyone. It is about making a major, often irreversible decision with complete information. The patients in this hub asked a specialty-trained prosthodontist to take a fresh look before teeth came out or implants went in, and in several documented cases the answer preserved natural teeth that were headed for extraction.

Sometimes the second opinion confirms the original plan, and that confirmation has value of its own. Sometimes it reveals a preservation option, a simpler sequence, or a reason to treat a failing implant differently. Our goal is a plan the patient understands and trusts, whatever its size.

Documented Cases in This Category

Before: Two Front Teeth Saved From Extraction: A Second Opinion, Custom Gold Posts, and Crowns Made to Last Before
After: Two Front Teeth Saved From Extraction: A Second Opinion, Custom Gold Posts, and Crowns Made to Last After

Two Front Teeth Saved From Extraction: A Second Opinion, Custom Gold Posts, and Crowns Made to Last

Two upper central incisors with failed root canal treatment and recurrent decay had been recommended for extraction and implant replacement. A CBCT evaluation showed that removing the roots from their thin facial bone housing could create a visible esthetic defect in the gum and bone contour, made worse by the patient's high lip line.

Crowns & Bridges Second Opinion
View Success Story
Can a Failing Implant Be Salvaged or Replaced?

Can a Failing Implant Be Salvaged or Replaced?

An implant beneath an existing abutment and crown began losing bone seven years after placement, with extensive bone loss along approximately one-third of the implant's length.

Dental Implants Failed Implant Repair Crowns & Bridges +1 more
View Success Story
Before: Replacing a Dental Implant That Could Not Be Properly Restored Before
After: Replacing a Dental Implant That Could Not Be Properly Restored After

Replacing a Dental Implant That Could Not Be Properly Restored

An implant had integrated with the bone but sat severely off angle and not deep enough, making an anatomically correct abutment impossible; the abutment and crown placed on it came out within six months.

Dental Implants Cosmetic Crowns & Bridges
View Success Story
Before: How Failing Lateral Incisor Implants Were Replaced with Custom Zirconia Bridges After Severe Bone Loss Made Replacement Implants Impossible Before
After: How Failing Lateral Incisor Implants Were Replaced with Custom Zirconia Bridges After Severe Bone Loss Made Replacement Implants Impossible After

How Failing Lateral Incisor Implants Were Replaced with Custom Zirconia Bridges After Severe Bone Loss Made Replacement Implants Impossible

Comprehensive examination including CBCT imaging revealed significant bone loss surrounding implants that were placed outside the buccal plate, most likely due to placement without a CBCT-generated surgical guide. The implants were determined non-salvageable, and the alveolar ridge was too narrow to support replacement implants without extensive reconstruction.

Failed Implant Repair Cosmetic Dental Implants
View Success Story
A note on patient success stories: The cases shown above reflect individual patient circumstances and outcomes. Treatment results, recovery timelines, and aesthetic outcomes vary from patient to patient based on clinical factors, individual anatomy, and case-specific considerations. The cases shown are not a guarantee or prediction of outcomes for any other patient.

Related Specialist Services

Second Opinion Dentistry Failed Implant Evaluation Dental Implants Request an Appointment

Questions Patients Ask About These Cases

When is a second opinion worth getting?

Before any irreversible step: extractions, implant surgery, or a comprehensive plan whose scope surprises you. If the recommended treatment feels larger than the problem, or you simply want the decision confirmed, a records-based second look is inexpensive insurance on a major investment.

Can teeth recommended for extraction really be saved?

Sometimes, yes. The lead case in this hub documents two front teeth scheduled for removal that were instead preserved with custom gold posts and crowns. Not every tooth can or should be saved, and an honest evaluation distinguishes the two.

What happens with an implant that is failing or was never right?

The options depend on why it is failing: restore it correctly, treat the tissue around it, or remove it, rebuild the site, and start again properly. Cases in this hub show each path. What matters is that the evaluation looks for the cause, not just the symptom.

What should I bring to a second opinion visit?

Any recent x-rays or scans you have, the proposed treatment plan if one exists, and your own questions. New records are made as needed. You leave with a clear, independent assessment you can weigh calmly.

Explore the Other Story Hubs

Implant Reconstruction Full Mouth & Bite Rehab Crowns, Bridges & Veneers Replacing Aging Dentistry Natural-Looking Cosmetic

Facing a Similar Situation?

Request a specialist consultation with Dr. Gerald Marlin to understand what is possible for your case, whether treatment is limited or comprehensive.

Request an Appointment Call (202) 244-2101