To be so upset over losing a tooth?

[Gruffalosandbuffalos]

I lost a back molar years ago when surgery to remove a sideways impacted wisdom tooth damaged it. I had all 4 wisdoms removed due to them being impacted as well as this molar.

I have just been told I now need to lose another back molar on the opposite side due to decay. The tooth needed filling months ago but I am breastfeeding and so they wouldn’t do a mercury filling. The drilling and use of temporary glass ionomer fillings has weakened the tooth (it was already half filled) and so I’ve now been told it’s unrepairable and needs extracting.

I’m really upset as I’m only in my 30’s and feel like if I’ve lost 2 back teeth already I’m going to end up with none left as I get older. The one I need extracting now is the second to back one and so will leave a gap. Of my remaining teeth 3 will have fillings in them.

Does anyone have any friendly words to make me feel better about it?

Can they not do a crown?

I hear you though - I am having a molar out soon and I am quite upset!

It understandable that you are upset but in this day and age breastfeeding or not nobody should be getting mercury fillings. Discuss with the dentist if there are any options for the gaps since these can cause issues with neighbouring teeth shifting

Oh, bless you. No one will notice except you, don't worry. I'm nearly thirty and as yet have no wisdom teeth, so you'll only have two fewer than me, it's not like you're missing loads.

Agree with PP, why didn't they offer a porcelain filling? Was it because of expense?

@Yarboosucks I’ve got a review appointment in 2 weeks with my own dentist as today I saw the on-call but he said he thought it would be unlikely a crown would work as the tooth is broken down to the root.

Apparently the location of the filling wasn’t suitable for a white filling. It’s in between 2 teeth so not a straight forward one.

Could you get an implant?

@ElefanteIntheroom possibly. They are expensive though and I really hate the dentist so not sure I would cope with the process.

I am 31 and have tons of fillings! I don't think anyone can tell, you wouldn't know it to look at me: I (don't think I have...) bad teeth, though they could be whiter!

Try not to worry, once it's been out a few months, it will just become your normal. There are so many more things in life to worry about (and I mean that in a supportive way, not a patronising/minimising way).

Hope the extraction goes well!

It’s in between 2 teeth so not a straight forward one. Aren't most teeth inbetween two teeth?

But I do get why you are upset, I have very weak teeth for some odd reason and have so many fillings and god knows what. Every time something new happens I'm gutted and worried too. But others can't tell. I hope they can work something out for you.

The filling is needed in between two teeth. They decay is to the side of the tooth not the top of that makes sense.

It’s not the same one on the other side- I lost LL7 years ago and am now about to lose LR6 leaving a gap between LR5 and LR7.

GI doesn't usually weaken the tooth as it has fluoride in it.
It's a shame you will have a gap.
There are options you could ask for a small denture which will just cover that gap.
You could ask for a bone graft which will keep the space for you so in future you could (if suitable) have an implant.
Once a tooth is removed your remaining teeth in time will shift.

@pixiedustt so if I wanted an implant in the future I need to have a bone graft done at the time of extraction?

The GI filing has broken off and taken part of the tooth with it. The tooth is in a much worse state than in was a month ago when I went for a routine check up.

If they say a bone graft is suitable then if you were to go for an implant in the future a bone graft would be the most suitable. It keeps the space and the bone around as when you have an extraction bone is lost.
If you were to have an extraction and say have an implant in 5 years there might not be enough supporting bones.
This is what we suggest to our patients who are thinking of implants in the future. We charge about £550 for it as unfortunately isn't covered on the NHS.
You could put in for individual funding from the NHS but I very much doubt it would get accepted due to the circumstances.
Please don't worry about your gap though sometimes they are not as noticeable as you think.
The other option you could ask for is a bridge or an everstick bridge x

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I lost the last premolar on one side. I was left with just the root, which had been root canal filled during pregnancy. It wasn't possible to crown the root. When you lose a tooth the remaining teeth shift gradually, so I was advised to retain the root, as that would help keep the shape of my bite fairly stable. Retaining the root would also maintain the bone density in my upper jaw.

I always intended to have an implant, but after 10-12 years realised that I prevaricated so much because I hate having dental work done, so why put myself through the extra anxiety? The gap only shows when I smile widely or laugh, and, as I'm not looking at myself at those times, I don't see it anyway! It rarely affects my eating. It doesn't affect the shape of my face.

I also have a mouthful of fillings, two other root canals and a crown. All four wisdom teeth were removed in my 20s. None of my siblings have more than a couple of fillings, dh has one, our dc have none. I guess I drew the short straw, genetically.

Nonetheless I laugh freely and openly. So I have a mouthful of metal and a gap. So what? Life is for enjoying. I can't do anything about my crappy teeth other than brush, floss, and eat well. What will be, will be. Live, love, laugh - and if anyone judges you for your teeth, they're not worth knowing.

If it helps I’m in my twenties and only have three top teeth. I wear dentures now. So don’t feel to bad!
Maybe go for implants, they’re expensive and will need replacing every so often but I’ve heard they’re good.

@PixieDustt what is involved in a bone graft? I have real issues with the dentist so I’m not sure I would manage if it’s a big invasive job. I’m dreading the extraction as it is.

I lost back teeth in my 30's. On one side on my lower jaw i only have my two pre molars as back teeth and other lower have two pre molars and one normal molar, although I have teeth above on upper jaw.
They do not show. I know you know they are not there and it feels odd to start but you get used to it. I hope it works out ok for you
🤗🤗

Implant - save up, it’s worth it. Also you pay in parts - root removal pay that bit, then wait 4 months for gum to heal, implant, pay for that bit then wait for that to heal/ take And finally 4 months after that get the crown that goes on the implant. And make final payment. It’s your teeth, and worth making them a priority.

Can you get a second opinion - even if you have to pay privately? If you don't trust your dentist maybe you should try to change anyway.

I wouldn't say the bone graft is invasive as such but if you don't like the dentist it could feel that way to you.
The way we do it is the tooth is extracted and socket cleaned. Bone graft which i can only describe as little granules places into the socket and the socket stitched up.
I think your best option if they say is suitable could be a bridge.

@PixieDustt thank you. I will talk to the dentist about this at my next appointment. I’m not sure it’s something that my surgery offer as they are NHS.

I am wary of a bridge because of the need to damage the two teeth either side to support it. It it were a visible tooth I would 100% do it but I’m not sure it’s worth the sacrifice for a back one?