Argh split molar?! Dentists??

[DuckityFuck]

DS is 12. Yesterday evening one of his lower molars has somehow split into about 4 different pieces! All still kinda attached, all wobbly. Overnight a pink/red bit has swollen up right in the middle.

He wears removable orthodontic appliances, and the molar that’s broken usually has wires either side and a block piece on top. I’m wondering whether all that pressure has had something to do with it?

His dentist doesn’t open until tomorrow. I can’t find a dentist open today. He’s not in too much pain, I’m just really worried about the pieces falling out, getting food stuck under/around them, etc. I’ve no idea if his tooth can be saved, but it’s the first full molar on the bottom, surely he needs that tooth?

Should we stop him from eating in case it makes it worse? What do we do??

If you phone 111 there may be an emergency dentist in your area you can go too - we have one in our area I've used in the past. Hope it doesn't become painful.

My first top molar split in summer. I don’t have and can’t find an nhs dentist. A private dentist looked at it and said it’d need surgical removal if it caused me pain. It hasn’t yet, so I still have it. Obviously I’m still eating etc (though on the other side) so I’d say it can wait until tomorrow if he isn’t In much pain. If he is you may be able to see an emergency dentist for temporary help today.

I’ve just heard back from the emergency dentist via 111 - the only appointment they could offer was in 45 minutes’ time, at a clinic 35 miles away. So that’s not going to work!
I think we’re just going to have to have him eat carefully today and try again tomorrow. All the pieces are very wobbly, I can’t see it lasting long. I guess he’s going to lose his tooth then 😔

Are you sure it's an adult tooth? Sometimes the baby one's can get undermined by the adult one pushing through and they become very thin and brittle and break up into pieces before they come out. If it's 4th or fifth from the front if you count backwards it may well be a baby tooth.

That was my thought it sounds more like a baby tooth resorbing before falling out but it would be strange to put an appliance clasp on a baby tooth (although I’m a dentist not an orthodontist so this could well be common)

If it’s an adult tooth from your description there will be no saving it. Fingers crossed it doesn’t cause pain before you get to his dentist. I’d try and avoid eating on it just to try and prevent it flaring up rather than damaging it further.

I’m pretty sure it’s an adult tooth; I’m pretty sure they said they wouldn’t use appliances until he had all his adult teeth through. I’ve attached a photo - I apologise in advance if it’s a bit gruesome. It’s making me wince just looking at it!

That’s a baby tooth

Yes that is a baby tooth and exactly what you would expect just as it is starting to fall out! You can relax!

That's a baby tooth, I really wouldn't worry about it unless he's in pain. My eldest ds teeth do the same as he's got 3 roots instead of two.

Oh that’s a relief! I was worrying he was going to be left with a big gap!
His appliance has a wire that wraps around that tooth, and a block that sits on top. The block wedges in front of the block you can see on his top teeth - he has a huge overjet, so they’re trying to move his lower jaw forwards. He definitely can’t wear his appliance now though.
I will call the orthodontist in the morning and see what to do then.
Thank you all!