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Original poster

Chunks of tooth left behind after extraction?

13 replies

SinkGirl · 17/02/2021 20:27

I had 4 teeth removed under sedation 2 weeks ago and recovery has been rough. One extraction site in particular has been sore and swollen and causing me trouble. A couple of days ago I felt a hard bit down by my gum and I thought it can’t be possibly be tooth - today two small chunks of tooth worked there way out of the hole 🤢

Is this normal? Do I need to get it checked to see if there’s any more? I’m worried it won’t heal properly if there’s more still in there but am terrified of dentists and really don’t want it to be messed with if this is just something that happens.

I once had a really bad arm injury and six months later the internal stitches started popping out through my scar - don’t really fancy that with chunks of tooth!

OP posts:
SergeiL · 17/02/2021 20:34

I think it’s normal. I was told it might happen due to my decayed tooth that was being extracted being below the gum and also because our was so decayed, it might break during the procedure. The bits working their way out is good.

Backtobacktheyfacedeachother · 17/02/2021 20:36

I had 4 wisdom teeth out and I certainly didn’t have bits of broken tooth left in. You really should phone the dentist, they will be able to do an X-ray to check there are no more pieces and maybe prescribe antibiotics if needed. They might not need to do anything else to it but they really need to check it out. Sounds awful. I hope it soon heals Flowers

Mrsmorton · 17/02/2021 20:39

It could be bits of bone, less likely to be tooth as dentists usually check to make sure they've got it all out. Unless they were badly decayed but even then it would be unusual IMO.

Unless the pain is getting worse I'd leave it alone. I certainly wouldn't give antibiotics for this. Or an x Ray unless healing wasn't progressing normally.

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DishedUp · 17/02/2021 20:40

Its probably bone. Normally small fragments of bone will work there way to the surface following an extraction

Even if it is a small fragment of tooth it will still heal. Occasionally you can leave small fragments of tooth behind if say it breaks and it's going to be more destructive to remove and normally the socket still heals fine. Or if the tooth is heavily decayed below the gumline a small fragment may break off, but its really not an issue

didireallysaythat · 17/02/2021 20:41

I had a tooth out a week ago and in the notes and mouthwash/tint they sent me home with it mentioned small bits of tooth being left behind and coming out after as quite normal.

bellropes · 17/02/2021 20:41

I had a molar extracted and the root snapped off. The dentist said it would work its way to the surface and come out eventually.

custardbear · 17/02/2021 20:46

I also had a tooth out about 30 plus years ago, and I did have some bits of tooth done out through the gum - dentists need to tell patients more about what to expect

Original poster
SinkGirl · 17/02/2021 21:39

Thanks so much everyone for putting my mind at rest! As long as it’s nothing to worry about then I’ll just keep an eye on it and just call them if it’s not healing or any signs of infection. Definitely would have been useful to have this on my info sheet. I don’t just hate dentists, I have a weird thing about teeth in general so it freaked me out a bit!

Hopefully that’s the lot and it will heal nicely now!

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Original poster
SinkGirl · 17/02/2021 21:40

(Sorry, I don’t mean I hate dentists as people obviously - mine is very kind to me despite my hysteria 😂)

OP posts:
BottegaBish · 17/02/2021 22:11

Oh god I need all 4 decaying wisdom teeth out. I've put it off for over a year now. Is it terrible?

Mrsmorton · 17/02/2021 22:26

@BottegaBish don't wind yourself up about it. I can guarantee that having them extracted is better than the multiple alternatives, none of which can be predicted. It's not a garden party but what medical intervention is.

Original poster
SinkGirl · 17/02/2021 22:42

@BottegaBish

Oh god I need all 4 decaying wisdom teeth out. I've put it off for over a year now. Is it terrible?
Err... I put off my two broken molars for ooh... six years? Only went to dentist when I got an infection. They referred me to have them removed under sedation which was supposed to be last March but cancelled so have been waiting since then.

Go and get it sorted before you get an infection, the pain is so awful

OP posts:
Original poster
SinkGirl · 17/02/2021 22:43

Just realised I didn’t answer your question. I was sedated but it didn’t work as well as the last time I had it so I was aware of some of it which wasn’t pleasant. It was pretty sore for the first couple of days but since then it’s mainly been awkward as it’s hard to eat when it’s both sides of your mouth! Otherwise not too awful Flowers

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