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Original poster

My missing tooth :(

52 replies

Mnbvz · 14/03/2023 15:01

I had a tooth extraction yesterday. I’ve not been able to find an nhs dentist so went private. Had to borrow money for it. (This is relevant for my next steps!) There was the option of a root canal, but I couldn’t cope with the procedure or cost so I chose to have the tooth taken out.

I didn’t realise how far front it was, thought it was the molar behind, and it’s the fang tooth.

I’m so upset now the reality has kicked in. I look like Grotbags ☹️ Been crying on and off all day!
I know that sounds a bit pathetic but I’ve been losing hair too and it’s just all too much.

Has anyone used the clip in veneers?
I wondered if that’s the best option as I have crooked teeth so thought it would solve 2 issues in 1.
I’d just wear it when I’m out of the house, instead of a false tooth.

If you have, where from please? Don’t want to buy joke shop style teeth (although I doubt they’d be any worse!)

OP posts:
DentalDisaster · 14/03/2023 16:52

You have my sympathy.
I had RCT on a front tooth but it ended up needing to be removed anyway, apparently many RCTs fail.
I had a bridge fitted but, after a decade or so, it fell out. In the month I was without it whilst waiting for an appointment, then a replacement to be made, then the appointment to fit a new one, all my teeth had moved. I don’t think a ‘clip in only when out’ option would prevent your other teeth moving tbh. Even the cheaper option of a denture on a plate would be better.

Right now, the amount of pain I’m in having this bridge pressing up against my other teeth, I wish I just had a tooth on a plate, at least taking it out would give me some relief!

I am sorry, I know how miserable it is, and how much it affects your confidence, having a tooth at the front missing. I hope you can manage to find a solution.

DentalDisaster · 14/03/2023 17:01

Google your local School of dentistry, the look for volunteers for free treatment if you are prepared to have a student do the work. Google you nearest local big city & dental university free treatment & see where comes up. Good luck!

e.g only says complex Crown and bridge work is excluded so, if it’s relatively simple, they may do it?
www.liverpool.ac.uk/dentistry/freedentaltreatment/

www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/webteam/shared/pdfs/students/PDSdentalposter.pdf

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/dental-treatment-undergraduate-students

Salverus · 14/03/2023 17:03

An implant?

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/03/2023 17:08

I’ve not heard of clip in veneers. Years ago I had the option for a clip in style replacement whole tooth as opposed to a plate or I could opt for a bridge. I was warned by the dentist that the clip part of a clip in could potentially damage the teeth it was clipped too, so could end up costing more.
Might be worth checking if this is the case with a veneer? Although presumably they don’t weigh or bear much pressure for movement to cause damage?

Amazongirl9 · 14/03/2023 17:12

If OP couldn’t cope with the thought of a RCT they’d really struggle with an implant. Fantastic results but the procedure is quite gruelling and expensive

Salverus · 14/03/2023 17:18

I'm about to have one. Dreading it tbh.

highfidelity · 14/03/2023 17:26

If you don't have the gap filled in some way, your teeth will move. Was the bone packed? If it was not, then an implant might not be possible in the future.

A bridge is probably your best bet or even a false tooth on a plate. Both are undetectable. I have a bridge. I have two actually. Neither have ever given me any pain.

Tedzer · 14/03/2023 17:40

I had 2 implants done at the same time. I opted for sedation, which I think cost about £200 more than the implant cost. I don't remember a thing about it. I'd say it's worth saving up for, or taking a loan for an implant if you can in any way manage it. You can't tell which teeth are implants, they look so natural.

Florissant · 14/03/2023 17:47

DentalDisaster · 14/03/2023 17:01

Google your local School of dentistry, the look for volunteers for free treatment if you are prepared to have a student do the work. Google you nearest local big city & dental university free treatment & see where comes up. Good luck!

e.g only says complex Crown and bridge work is excluded so, if it’s relatively simple, they may do it?
www.liverpool.ac.uk/dentistry/freedentaltreatment/

www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/webteam/shared/pdfs/students/PDSdentalposter.pdf

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/dental-treatment-undergraduate-students

Thank you! That is very helpful.

Original poster
Mnbvz · 14/03/2023 18:51

@DentalDisaster Sorry you’re suffering with your teeth too. It’s miserable isn’t it?
Dental schools sound like a great idea! I do have a bit of a dental phobia but also not keen on being toothless either so might have to get over it 😬Thank you for the suggestion!

Thank you to everyone for the advice, it’s much appreciated.
I should have discussed the follow up options with my dentist but just really wanted to get out and go home!

OP posts:
Franticbutterfly · 14/03/2023 19:19

I feel for you. I had a tooth out instead of root canal that would cost £1000 as I was buying a house at the time and needed all my funds. Always wished I'd put it on a credit card.

KirstenBlest · 14/03/2023 20:00

You can get a partial denture as a stopgap but get an implant if you can.

Ireallydohope · 18/03/2023 21:38

I had a tooth out recently but it's further back. I'm just going to get a dental plate to pop in and once I'm home I can just pop it out again. I can't do that till it's healed over. My dentist is NHS and told me not to bother with an implant and just get the plate

I'm toying with the idea of a dental implant but I just think for the cost things can still go wrong and I don't want things to go wrong or have to eventually be replaced

collywobble · 18/03/2023 21:43

I have a single denture in my gap and it's been really good I've had it about 7 years and cost was reasonable. It just slides in between the gap. My dentist took a mould and made it exactly like my old tooth .

lifesnotaspectatorsport · 18/03/2023 21:52

I've got an implant to replace a premolar. It's amazing. Can't tell at all that it's not a real tooth, either by look or feel.

It's expensive but totally worth it if you can. Procedure wasn't really painful at all, other than the extraction of the old tooth (and you've already done that part!).

I wouldn't leave it too long to put something in that gap though, otherwise as pp said the teeth will move.

opalescent · 18/03/2023 22:03

OP, I have a visible gap. In the longer term I will have an implant, but a fantastic option in the meantime has been a valpast partial denture. It is literally like a little clip in tooth, and I have been able to eat with it etc.
I think it cost about £400. I think they are sometimes called a 'Nesbit'. Have a Google.

SadBut · 18/03/2023 22:08

Sorry we hear this OP. An actual NHS dentist did this to my DD. Fuck knows why. The "fangs" run in my family, caused no bother to my mum, various cousins or aunts. Both DD and I thought it was the teeth MUCH further back that they were taking out. She's having braces to close the gaps apparently. Hmm Hope you get something sorted

User6495321 · 18/03/2023 22:09

Is it a top tooth, if so I would just get a partial denture for the one tooth, top teeth are much easier to wear a false tooth than bottom as they stay in much easier and don't need clips.

catlovingdoctor · 18/03/2023 22:19

Sorry for your experience. Root canal treatment, as with all procedures, can sadly never be guaranteed in terms of outcome.

Regarding free treatment by dental students, this is a good option in terms of no real financial cost to you but be wary of the fact you are likely to pay with your time. At dental schools, things like dentures are done in a very textbook way; meaning sometimes things are done in separate appointments which are usually done in one slot in practice. This drags it out time wise. Plus impressions may need to be re-taken more as students are still learning under supervision (if you are anxious or prone to gagging this may not be very good for you).

In any event, it's normal to need to wait a few months for tissue to heal before a denture can begin to be made.

I would also say dentures are not liked in general; they are plaque retentive and even if well-made you may just never get used to them.

Depending on bone levels and your general health, an implant may be a good choice, but will be very costly and as with the root canal, the outcome is never guaranteed.

A bridge sounds like it would be a good middle ground for you. Again, however, this is likely to be fairly costly (more than the price of the root treatment, although far less than an implant).

miraveille · 18/03/2023 23:55

Implant is not at all gruelling if you're sedated. Recovery was also easy.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 19/03/2023 00:07

I damaged that exact same tooth and had to have it extracted. Implant is 100% the way to go. Very natural looking and just as importantly completely functional. It also prevents bone loss in your jaw.

The downside is it's pricey. Most places will offer some type of payment plan. It's well worth the investment.

They have a few options for temporary "fakes" that are passable but you won't be able to leave them in when eating or drinking. I used one until I had the implant crown attached. Good luck!

Monty27 · 19/03/2023 00:19

Omg NHS dental care in UK is bad in the extreme.
Clip ins absolutely do ruin the other teeth and gums.
If you're not wealthy enough to have private treatment you're destined to look as poor as you feel. It's not good for mental health either.

notagain2020 · 19/03/2023 00:47

Amazongirl9 · 14/03/2023 17:12

If OP couldn’t cope with the thought of a RCT they’d really struggle with an implant. Fantastic results but the procedure is quite gruelling and expensive

I disagree, the OP thought she couldn't cope with an RCT and so opted for an extraction.
An implant doesn't have to be gruelling at all. I know as I have 2. It is best to do it in stages though and you need to go to an experienced dentist/specialist.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 19/03/2023 00:59

notagain2020 · 19/03/2023 00:47

I disagree, the OP thought she couldn't cope with an RCT and so opted for an extraction.
An implant doesn't have to be gruelling at all. I know as I have 2. It is best to do it in stages though and you need to go to an experienced dentist/specialist.

Show quote history

I've had both RCT and implant(s) and the RCT is far and away more challenging.

Placing the screw in the jaw takes less than 30 minutes and most of that time is spent waiting for the area to get numb. Afterwards minimal pain that was easily treated with OTC meds for a day or two.

You do have to wait a number of weeks for the jaw bone to heal around the screw before they place your new tooth, but nothing hurts or requires special care.

As posters have said though you want to do your homework and find a dentist/surgeon who has a lot of experience with implants. It's an investment in both money and time.

opalescent · 19/03/2023 18:20

@GulfCoastBeachGirl I am hoping to have implants...three in total, but that's a 5 year plan really (due to costs!). It's really reassuring to read your post. Can I ask how many you've had, and whether you've had any issues with them at all? Are they in different areas of your mouth? My gaps are.