Missing tooth and feeling awful about myself :(

[WatchOutTheSkyIsFalling]

I know this is so shallow but had a tooth removed this week in my smile line although not at the very front. It doesn't help that it's gone really high up into the jaw bone so the hole his huge and triangular. I wasn't expecting to feel quite so ugly and conscious of it afterwards. It has been very painful but even after the pain has lessened I am now so aware of it, when I talk or smile. A few people have asked what happened so I know it is noticeable and not just me being paranoid. It is making me feel totally unattractive even though DH doesn't seem to mind it, I don't want to kiss him or anything. I just feel really sad about it and I really cannot afford an implant to replace it unfortunately although I don't think I could anyway as the hole is so big.

Oh poor you op. Will you be getting a fake one put in?
This happened to my mums front tooth. She also felt very self conscious and had to wait 3 weeks for a replacement tooth. As it was right at the front everyone commented and understandably, she became very aware of it.
The fake tooth matches fine now.

You have my sympathy. Ive never broke a tooth before and ive broken 4 in lockdown. 2 of them are front teeth that had to be pulled. I got a small denture yesterday. It looks ok but i feel gross and like ive aged 20 years. Can you get a small denture?

If you can't afford an implant just gets smalldenture

@Torvean32 which type of denture do you have and how are you finding it? Does it look natural? I think this is probably my only affordable option but DH actually prefers the idea of me with a gap to with a denture, he says dentures are only for old people and he wouldn't be able to kiss me with one in incase it fell out :( I'm feeling so down about this. Crazy how something you just take for granted can knock your confidence so much.

What about a bridge OP? If its a premolar a bridge is perfect, a denture is quite a lot for one tooth but if you did go for a denture you should be able to get a good fit, or maybe a flexidenture which is like a single false tooth that clips onto he teeth either side

They say when you lose a tooth you actually go through a grieving process. Its natural to feel as you do now, and its all new for you so you will notice it and feel it more

I totally sympathise OP.
I broke a front tooth this week, it had been crowned about 15 years ago and just snapped off.
I looked liked an old witch, I couldn't even bear to look in the mirror. DH had no sympathy- just made jokes about Halloween, but I was really upset. I've never been so pleased to have to wear a mask.

I managed to get an emergency appointment the next day and the dentist stuck it back on but he said it could last 2 days or 2 months. He said my longer term options are a denture, a bridge or an implant. He said the cost of a denture or bridge ranges from about £280 - £700.

I had a tooth out during lock down too and am now saving up for an implant to replace it. Try shopping around for implant costs, cheapest I’ve found is £2000.

Implant? I have two, they look like real teeth. I'm very happy with the results.

@UncleFoster I'd love a bridge but unfortunately one of the teeth it would need to attach to is very weak and I'm in danger of losing that one too if I'm not careful which would be even worse as it's further forward

Thats a shame OP. You could bond the bridge to the tooth behind?

I think a denture might be your best bet then, especially if theres a chance the tooth in front could be lost as you can add it onto the denture so you arent ever left with a gap if you were to lose it

Your DP is being a bit of an arse tbh. Lots of people have dentures, its really nothing to be particularly ashamed about

Dentures arent only for old people, they are a good affordable option for people who have lost teeth.

A good denture wont fall out, and it can be the best option to prevent damage to your other teeth. Theres no risk of infection like with implants, and actually many many people have dentures, certainly not just old people

I've had to have three teeth out due to a raging infection I've got a denture to put in when its less sore it looks better than I thought it would you can't tell when its in

@Clearasmuddypuddles

I had a tooth out during lock down too and am now saving up for an implant to replace it. Try shopping around for implant costs, cheapest I’ve found is £2000.

Are you anywhere near Droitwich? They are about a thousand pounds there

If you're thinking of partial dentures (I have two - they're fine) swerve the dentist and go straight to a dental technician. Much cheaper.

I have been quoted £2400 for an implant plus £120 for the initial consultation plus £400 for a temporary tooth while the screw bit heals before the fix the tooth on it.
I'm not a million miles from Droitwich. @slipperywhensparticus can you pm details of your dentist?

@WatchOutTheSkyIsFalling The hole seems big now but will change in the next six months. The bone round the tooth will disappear and you'll be left with a smooth line. Some dentists have pay monthly schemes for implants. I have two and nobody would ever know.

Hi @WatchOutTheSkyIsFalling. It just the 2 teeth no bridge on it. I need to use denture paste to stop it moving.
To look at you would never know. I have really small teeth and they got the size and colour really close to my other teeth.

My speech is not normal yet as i had the gap for a while.

I would never choose to have the gap at the front over this..I couldn't afford implants. I did think this looked much better than i expected though.
Ignore your partner, do whats right for you.

I have a small denture and it looks very natural. It stays in place really well too. Sending you hugs as I know how this feels. I'm having trouble with my teeth and am likely to lose another in the next six months.

I go down to Sussex from Somerset to a clinic that does them for £1000. Message me for details if you want. They are brilliant and can fill any size gap. I wore a denture while I saved up for it and it was a bit weird but OK. You have options including a bridge.

@madcatladyforever is that the place in Hove ?

Dental implant definitely

My DS (now almost 17) wears a plate with his 2 front teeth on it. Hopefully he can get implants when he’s older but the plate looks really good and the teeth are very natural looking. It attaches to his back teeth with clips, much like the brace I had in my teens. The only problem we/he had was that he developed a terrible habit of flicking his teeth in and out with his tongue a couple of years ago. Thankfully he has grown out of that stage.
He also went through a phase of not putting them in and then burning the roof of his mouth when he tried to eat or drink anything hot!

I have a flexible partial denture which replaces a lower molar - it clips onto the next door teeth, and no-one would ever know. It cost about £300, and is about the size of the top joint of my thumb all in. I needed to go in and have it adjusted for rubbing a couple of times in the week or so after I got it, and it has been perfect since.

My gap wasn’t visible, but my DP was pleased when I got it because it made me feel more confident. I keep it in one of those little pots for decanting skincare into for travel when not wearing it, it really is tiny.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses how much strain do the clips put onto the neighbouring teeth? I'm just wondering if my very weak one would cope with it or it would pull it out...

My dentist said she would only use strong teeth as “anchors” (not sure of the terminology). Do you have a follow up appointment to check on healing from the extraction? Your dentist should be able to go through options with you.

I had the gap from my molar for ages and it was fine, I just saw a leaflet in the surgery about these Little dentures when I was in for a checkup and asked about them. I don’t think I could have had a gap for a front tooth, and I don’t think my dentist would have expected me to.

My MIL has a partial denture that replaces a front tooth, but it’s a whole “plate”. That was made on the NHS and looks great. She had a temporary version made before the tooth was removed so she never had any gap, and then it needed replaced after about six months as her gums healed up. I am surprised your dentist didn’t offer that if it’s a front tooth?