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Original poster

Part of tooth with root canal just fell off

18 replies

PurpleDaisies · 30/11/2019 19:54

I had a root canal done a couple of years ago and haven’t been back because I’m pretty dental phobic. Now a chunk of the tooth has just fallen off and I’m pretty worried.

Anyone with knowledge or experience? It is likely I’ll lose the tooth or could it now be crowned? Help!

OP posts:

Original poster

PurpleDaisies · 30/11/2019 20:49

Nobody?

OP posts:

StickyToffeeTart · 30/11/2019 20:50

I would think it could be crowned, but I'm by no means an expert

Lockheart · 30/11/2019 20:51

You'll need to go and see a dentist, no-one can tell without a physical examination. In the meantime keep it clean with salt rinses.

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helpfulperson · 30/11/2019 20:56

Getting a tooth crowned for me was not as bad as I expected. But ive also had teeth i thought were goners when a bit fell off and my dentist sorted without even bothering with anaesthetic

My advice is put on your big girl pants and see what your dentist says. (Easier said than done i know)

Original poster

PurpleDaisies · 30/11/2019 21:02

The plan is to phone them Monday morning. The root canal was successful and there’s no pain at all. I was just wondering if anyone had a positive story to share.

Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:

DollyTots · 30/11/2019 21:06

This happened to me recently, it felt like quite a large piece came away but when I went all it needed was filling and that was without numbing. In and out in ten minutes, so it may not be as bad as you think

Original poster

PurpleDaisies · 30/11/2019 21:21

Fingers crossed it will be the same for me! Thanks dolly.

OP posts:

Elieza · 30/11/2019 21:24

They can work wonders with fillings these days. Perhaps they could just put some in the top.

Boopear · 30/11/2019 21:36

I actually had this happen to a healthy tooth. Vertical split. After a lot of concern, it's now been filled and has been fine. Mine was apparently caused by teeth grinding. It is apparently a lot more common with filled teeth as they are inherently weaker. The fix will depend on the type of split - if a horizontal split maybe a crown. Vertical a bit trickier, especially if across the root, but, as said, mine was saved. So see the dentist asap and fingers crossed. Hope you're not in any pain.

GiantKitten · 30/11/2019 21:37

There’s no pain because a root canal filling takes the nerve out...

Whether it’s salvageable depends which bit has broken, how sturdy the roots are and/or how much strong tooth is left.

I’ve had a lot of interesting dental history - so much I can’t remember specific details - but a painless partial tooth with root canal fillings sounds pretty hopeful IME (NB I am not a dentist!)

VaguelySensible · 30/11/2019 21:44

This happened to me and the dentist tried to crown it. Unfortunately the peg (?) of the root canal filling did not protrude high enough for the crown to grip it well. There wasn't enough of the tooth left for the crown to grip, either. So the crown kept falling off. I have a gap, but it's only visible if I laugh with my mouth wide open. And if I'm laughing that much I'm having such a good time that I don't care!

Moodycoo · 30/11/2019 21:57

Just happened to me recently. Bit of tooth snapped so got root canal then large filling. Then another bit snapped (teeth are more brittle after root canals) so he crowned it. The worst bit is the prep - cos I had so little tooth left he had to cut away some of the gum but 6 weeks down the line it feels ok 👍🏼

GiantKitten · 30/11/2019 22:07

Do they not do post crowns any more? Where they fix a metal post into the root so it sticks up high enough to support a crown?

recycledbottle · 30/11/2019 22:37

This happened to me recently and I was told would need removal and implant. It's because it broke below the gumline. Can you feel any bit of tooth above the gum, if so you might just need a filing. Dentist ASAP. I would say

Original poster

PurpleDaisies · 30/11/2019 22:40

Yes, there’s definitely still tooth beyond the gum line that I can feel. Hopefully that means it’s a crown/filling job.

Once again, thanks everyone.

OP posts:

Yerbumsootthewindae · 30/11/2019 23:42

If you're scared, please tell the dentist when you go. My teeth are shit and despite having had a lot of work done already, whenever something else needs done I am terrified but my dentist knows how I feel and is so lovely, so let them know you're anxious. Good luck, fingers crossed it'll be a relatively easy fix.

WheresMyChocolate · 30/11/2019 23:49

It depends. I had one break and they put a crown on it. It's pretty easy as it's the root canal part that's a bastard and that's already done. I had a second one break and the dentist managed to rebuild it so I've got 2 thirds own tooth and 1 third white filling thingy. Then I had a third one break and my dental phobia kicked off big time. So he just removed the rest of the broken too above the gum line and then capped off the root. So I have a gap but it's near the back so completely unnoticeable.

WheresMyChocolate · 30/11/2019 23:52

Also ask about sedation. I have it and it's great. I still worry and stress but I don't get that feeling that I'm teetering on the edge of complete hysteria (or falling off it as I have done in the past).

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