Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Broken tooth help please

39 replies

EmmaH2022 · 08/10/2022 17:44

My front top canine tooth broke off today, near the gum. It wasn’t a complete surprise as I knew it was cracked from grinding my teeth. My NHS dentist warned me it was likely to go but I haven’t quite had time to review options.

It’s next to a crown and a bridge on one side. My teeth weren’t great as my childhood dentist should have removed a couple of them. My jaw is too small for all of them.

I will call round private dentists on Monday. I look ridiculous! I am not in favour of implants as teeth grinding will only damage that. Plus it looks like quite a lot of painful surgery.

Has anyone resolved this sort of thing without an implant or a bridge? Even a single denture is okay with me. I imagine I’d have to take it out at night.

I am not in pain exactly but I think the risk of infection is quite high as well?

All thoughts welcome. My NHS dentist was in his last week before retiring so not around to discuss it with.

I might not even be a candidate for an implant with all the grinding issues. Any help would be much appreciated. I’m not sure there’s enough tooth left for them to do a temporary cosmetic fix either.

OP posts:
pompei8309 · 08/10/2022 18:13

Maryland bridge maybe ?

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 08/10/2022 18:18

pompei8309 · 08/10/2022 18:13

Maryland bridge maybe ?

Thank you
the tooth next to it is already supporting a bridge though, which makes me think no bridge would work?

also be interested to hear people’s experience of having an implant, especially if you grind your teeth. I know people who had them and said it wasn’t major but when you look at a description of how it’s done, it seems pretty full on for what is really a cosmetic repair?

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 10:46

Hopeful bump

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
Notsoyummymummy2 · 09/10/2022 10:54

Yes, you could have a single tooth denture, but tricky matching the colour next to a crown and an original tooth - but it’s possible! On the NHS, it will be very basic.

An implant may be an option, obviously only through private care, but it depends on the severity of the grinding habit, space and bone level etc.

If it has truly snapped at gum level, the nerve is likely to be exposed. If you have no pain, it may be that the root canal has obliterated (in-filled) over many years of grinding, not ideal if you need a root canal filing, but beneficial as it will minimise bacterial ingress into the tooth, and therefore risk of infection.

Dont fret though. There are plenty of viable options, and as long as you are seen very soon, you’re unlikely to develop a sudden infection. All the best

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 11:00

Notso thank you

it won't be NHS, they already told me they don't do it and as it's prominent, I'd rather go private

there seem to be tons of cosmetic dentists with cartoonish websites in London and I don't know how to choose one

the colour match isn't such a big deal, it's more I don't want to be gappy for ages and with the tooth broken so high up, I don't know how it can be avoided.

if anyone can see me tomorrow, I will go, but I expect Monday is the worst day for emergencies etc

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 11:07

PS they all seem to have about £150 consultation fee so it would be better to stay with the first person I pay to look at it IYSWIM.

OP posts:
THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:08

If the nerve is exposed it needs covering asap

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 11:11

THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:08

If the nerve is exposed it needs covering asap

Yes, don't know if it is or not

it feels sensitive

How do they cover it?

OP posts:
THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:14

One of my dc snapped a tooth half way up and the nerve was exposed. Inital treatment was just getting it covered with some of the stuff they use for temp fillings. We then had to wait to assess if there was any infection or if the tooth itself may die. The break happened during a fall so this may differ with you im not sure

THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:15

Can you see any pink in the remaining tooth?

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 11:20

THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:15

Can you see any pink in the remaining tooth?

I can't but what's there is discoloured
I think what Notso said might be applicable?

I can't see how a temp filling can be done with it broken so close to the gum

just for background, I saw a private dentist once and he was an absolute charlatan out for money, hence my worries about finding someone good.

I got a recommendation from a neighbour who goes to one two hours away - not ideal!

OP posts:
THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:21

If it needs to be removed nhs dentist may refer you to the dental hospital

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 11:23

THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 11:21

If it needs to be removed nhs dentist may refer you to the dental hospital

sorry to be confusing my NHS dentist has left and doesn't deal with this anyway

more stupid questions

what is a dental hospital? I'm seeing a lot of ads about 30 min implants

dental hospital sounds much more serious

I've had a root canal about twenty years ago, just in a dentist

OP posts:
Carrotzen · 09/10/2022 11:35

If tooth has snapped at gum level and we are talking about implants etc. It's kind of irrelevant if the nerve is exposed as the tooth is a goner. If the nerve was exposed you would be in a lot of pain, so I agree possibly obliterated. Most simple roots are removable in primary care and there's no reason you'd need a referral to a dental hospital (this is just a hospital where they teach dentistry and specialists work at). Don't worry!

You can root fill it and cover it with filling but you will unlikely be able to rebuild it up to make a canine. There are options but you'd need to be properly assessed as there are so many variables

A bridge for a canine in someone who grinds their teeth is likely to fail. I would get a consultation with a local private dentist who does implants, and discuss the benefits or either a single tooth denture/implant. They will be able to assess suitability for each option. They can also make you a bite guard to prevent further damage to your teeth from grinding.

Carrotzen · 09/10/2022 11:41

Also bearing in mind without assessing you it's pretty hard to give advice about what options would be suitable. Most dentists are decent and want whats best for their patients and not money hungry, I would just find a dentist within reasonable distance who offers implants if you need it and who is taking on patients, you will likely need to call around a bit.

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 11:51

Carrot Thank you.

i have a bite guard, and it doesn't stop the action IYSWIM

I have had three sets of masseter botox but it wears off after three months and I don't want to keep doing it.

I'm not particularly vain but it's the prospect of being gappy for ages that worries me most.

I have found a dental surgery within walking distance, it looks like the key thing was to google "dental surgery" rather than dentist, so that's something this thread has definitely helped with. Thank you all so much.

OP posts:
THATissoooFRIGHTENING · 09/10/2022 12:11

When my dc snapped his tooth and exposed the nerve he had no pain at all. He is currently on the waiting list at the dental hospital as our dentist has attempted to rebuild the tooth multiple times with no sucess and has now said he needs to be seen by the hospital.
Even though the op is likely to have this tooth removed it would surely be beneficial to avoid infection as that may spread in the gum etc?

PinkButtercups · 09/10/2022 12:12

If you've had a root canal in the broken tooth then no it's not going to hurt. If you haven't the chances are still slim that the nerve is now showing. It will be sensitive because it's broken but if it isn't painful then don't worry. A broken tooth is not actually a dental emergency in most cases.

From my experience as a dental nurse private singular dentures are actually better anyway as they're a lot smaller than NHS so are better.

Some practices actually have their own facilities to be able to make the dentures themselves. We didn't, which meant in total dentures could take between 1-4 weeks depending on what type of denture it was.

PinkButtercups · 09/10/2022 12:15

Also you will need the rest of the tooth extracted. Usually we advise people to wait 3 months for their permanent fitting denture. You can have a temporary one at extra cost but it will become lose after the extraction because of the gun healing that's why we usually recommend 3 months after the extraction so the denture is better fitting.

PinkButtercups · 09/10/2022 12:15

Gum*

pimlicoanna · 09/10/2022 12:21

I can sympathise as I've cracked a couple from grinding too. I have had treatment at Dental Arts studio in London and they are my regular dentist now. There are a few branches and I really rate them. I've been to a crap dentist before. Never again. I've always been private as I've never found an nhs dentist in London that was taking on patients.

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 12:23

That I hope your son gets seen soon.

Pink that's one thing that puzzles me - I can't see how they can cover it up as extraction will mean healing time.

interesting point re denture making, there's one place advertising they do them on site so I should give them a call.

OP posts:
PinkButtercups · 09/10/2022 12:26

EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 12:23

That I hope your son gets seen soon.

Pink that's one thing that puzzles me - I can't see how they can cover it up as extraction will mean healing time.

interesting point re denture making, there's one place advertising they do them on site so I should give them a call.

You can have a temporary denture placed after extraction. You wouldn't wear it as much as you would your permanent one. It's more vanity because no one wants to be missing a front tooth which is completely understandable.

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 09/10/2022 12:26

pimlicoanna · 09/10/2022 12:21

I can sympathise as I've cracked a couple from grinding too. I have had treatment at Dental Arts studio in London and they are my regular dentist now. There are a few branches and I really rate them. I've been to a crap dentist before. Never again. I've always been private as I've never found an nhs dentist in London that was taking on patients.

Do you mean this one?

www.dentalartimplantclinic.co.uk/general-dentistry-prices

that's much easier for me than going into town, the north London one. As it's a free consult, I'll contact them anyway.

OP posts:
snowbellsxox · 09/10/2022 12:28

I've just got a denture same place looks better than my old tooth
I'm 30 :( but it is what it is! Had an ED as a teen