Broken back tooth

[onthettcbus]

A quarter of my back tooth broke off earlier whilst I was eating, there isn't any pain and it didn't bleed. I'm worried that It will have to come to come out. Is there a possibility that they can repair it? What would the most likely repair be, a filling or a crown? Has anyone had a broken back tooth repaired before? I'm so upset.

[Amiable]

This happened to me a few years ago, an old filling came out taking part of my tooth with it. I was able to get mine filled. I,ve had no pain, no repercussions and apart from me being able to feel it with my tongue (it's a bir shorter than the neighbouring tooth) there are no side effects whatsoever. Only your dentist can tell you for sure, but I really would'nt worry, I am sure they can fix it, without it costing a fortune!

[gamerchick]

Just make sure you get it seen to asap. Don't wait.

[onthettcbus]

I'm away for a week at the moment so I won't be able to see my normal dentist for at least a week, do you think this will be ok or should I see an emergency dentist?

[TreehouseRose]

Hi, I've broken two different back teeth, the very back one and the one next to it. Both had a significant chunk/corner. The dentist filled it very quickly with a white filling and I can't see or feel the difference. The second time I broke the tooth, I couldn't get to a dentist for a fortnight and it was fine, if a little rough on the tongue. I just kept it very clean in the meantime.

My dentist says he can repair most of a broken tooth, even when it's gone a little below the gum line on the inside. You'd have to lose most of the tooth you can see to warrant a deeper repair and that would be a crown which isn't a huge deal for. Back tooth. Most corners or even two corners of s tooth, even fairly significant, can be repaired.

My first repair has lasted 8 years with no ill effects at all. It didn't hurt at the time and it's never hurt since whatsoever. My dentist was very meh about it, said it's just wear and tear.

[onthettcbus]

Thanks, you have calmed me down! I'm a bit sensitive about my teeth as my parents didn't take care of them as a child so I already have shit teeth, I'm terrified of losing them all which is why I've probably got more worked up about this than I should. Hopefully I can get it sorted and keep my tooth.

[TreehouseRose]

Just get it looked at asap but don't worry in the meantime and keep it really clean.

[CwutchUp]

How did you get on OP? The exact same thing just happened to me. I phoned the dentist and they're closed

[onthettcbus]

Not great unfortunately, I managed to get to the dentist yesterday and the dentist advised me that there was too much tooth lost to fill it and I should just have it taken out but she could try and fill it if I wanted her too but that the filling would probably fall out I was slightly shocked as from what I can see only one back corner of the tooth is missing it still looks perfectly fine from the front, I'm reluctant to just have it pulled out without any attempt to save it, so I'm going back on Thursday to have it filled. It still isn't causing me any pain or bother much to the surprise of the dentist who kept asking me if I'm really sure that it doesn't hurt. Good luck with yours and I hope you get better news!

[DalaHorse]

Hi, obviously I can't see your tooth but like I said before, all I can advise you is that I have broken a sizeable chunk off two different back teeth and my dentist filled them both with no problems and they haven hurt ever or been any problem at all since. You can't see the difference by looking, they are shaped just like my other teeth. My dentist is nhs and not at all fancy so it's not like I've had state of the art dental work to fill it. Most if not all dentists would prefer to try and save the tooth first as close to its natural state as possible and if it didn't work out, only then consider a crown or extraction, which should be the last resort once all else has failed. Did your dentist explain exactly why she felt going to extraction was the first answer, not even a crown? Maybe she can see something you can't but she should clearly explain why she felt extraction was the better option than filling or crown.

I would personally be tempted to get a second opinion. Whatever you do, do not let her talk you into taking out that tooth until you have had a second or even a third opinion. Nothing is as good as your own teeth.

[onthettcbus]

I'm also reluctant to have it removed as I have had braces and still wear teeth retainers so I'm worried that my teeth will move again as there will be a gap.

[onthettcbus]

She didn't even offer me the option of a crown.

[DalaHorse]

It's crown before extraction, surely. Also nhs crowns are very reasonable compared to private.

My dentist must be rock hard, he didn't even blink and it was a huge piece!

[DalaHorse]

And ive been X-rayed privately by a different dentist since and he didn't comment on it, so it can't be a problem dental-wise, it's certainly not to me.

[onthettcbus]

Maybe she thinks I look like I couldn't afford the cost of a crown

[DalaHorse]

Spring - I've often though that about teeth jewellery!

Onthe - she should outline all the options, including crown and why she feels that's not an option, prices etc. Not just ignore it altogether. If you do need a crown, nhs dentist prices are fixed and if it's a back tooth it isn't too cosmetic a job (unlike a front tooth).

Definitely grill her a bit and/or get another opinion. Teeth are precious. I've had brilliant service from both nhs and private dentists, and awful service and info from both too, private doesn't always equal the best info or service.

[Deux]

There is also another type of crown/inlay called Cerec (google it) but you'd have to find a private dentist who does them as it's quite state of the art and require a significant investment in equipment.

The dentist 3-d images your mouth and the crown is made to measure there and then in a little machine. It's then bonded to your tooth.

Extraction must be a last resort. Is it the very back tooth and does it have a partner on the other arch? Reason I ask is I have a wisdom tooth through on the upper but not one on the lower and the dentist refers to it as non-functional and if I ever had a problem with it she'd extract it due to its non-functional state.

[onthettcbus]

It is a first molar I think so I assume it is pretty significant.

[onthettcbus]

Now I have had a closer look I can see that quite a large part of it has broken so the dentist may be right that it is not fixable.

[PetallyTyrants]

I have huge fillings (that's not a boast btw!). Get a second opinion.

[Deux]

Gosh there is a lot missing. A crown would need something to adhere to.

A second opinion would be good if you really want to save the tooth. Ring around a few and explain. If you get the same message from several dentists then that might put your mind at ease.

[PetallyTyrants]

I don't see why it can't be built up and crowned. Though obviously I'm not a dentist.

OP - is your dentist NHS or private?

[Olivialoves]

I had exactly the same as you OP! wish I still had the photos.
I had an onlay style crown (google for image)
basically a built up ceramic-y filling. to rebuild the tooth.
I was so surprised as thought it would have to be pulled.
definitely get a second option.

[onthettcbus]

She is an NHS dentist but I am happy to pay for a private dentist if they can offer a better solution. It is a very busy inner city surgery though so maybe they automatically offer the quickest and cheapest solution.