Dental nightmare

**Megareader** · 11-13-2008, 11:20 PM

I have this tooth that has had "issues" to put it mildly. Several years ago it was root canaled but I forgot to get it crowned. Then it broke so my dentist built it back up and said it really needed a crown. Umm...I never got around to it. It broke again but since it was root canaled it did not hurt so I just went on my merry way. Then Tuesday I had an appointment and I asked the dentist to take a good look at it because I thought some more of it broke. He looked and did some poking and said "Yes more of it broke off. And it's cracked in half." So now I have to get what is left of it taken out and have a partial. A partial!! That makes me think of old people. I already have some white hairs appearing. What is next?? Should I stock up on laxatives, arthritis cream, and sign up for a subscription to Old Fogies Monthly?

I think I'm just feeling sorry for myself. Anyway, if you're still reading this thank you for coming to my pity party!

**guest002** · 11-14-2008, 12:11 AM

Where is the tooth located? I had a tooth crack and had it removed by an oral surgeon but it was the last tooth all the way in the back. I haven't missed it.

**Palooka** · 11-14-2008, 12:42 AM

Yeah, I was going to ask the same thing. I had one tooth removed that was next to my wisdom tooth because it would cost so much dang money.

I've never missed it.

**Megareader** · 11-14-2008, 04:06 AM

It's the last tooth on the bottom left side. I only have 24 teeth as it is, 4 were removed so I could get braces when I was 9 and 4 wisdom teeth removed when I was 15. My dentist said that if I don't have something in this tooths place eventually the top opposing tooth will start lowering itself.

It'll be interesting to see how much the insurance will kick in for this. Hopefully between my ins. and dh's ins. we won't have to pay much ourselves.

**Palooka** · 11-15-2008, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by Megareader

It's the last tooth on the bottom left side. I only have 24 teeth as it is, 4 were removed so I could get braces when I was 9 and 4 wisdom teeth removed when I was 15. My dentist said that if I don't have something in this tooths place eventually the top opposing tooth will start lowering itself.

It'll be interesting to see how much the insurance will kick in for this. Hopefully between my ins. and dh's ins. we won't have to pay much ourselves.

Okay, I think they say humans have 32 or something teeth and take away the 4wisdom teeth that are not useful as adults. So that would be 28 left. If you was nine and got braces I would think the ortho would only remove baby teeth to make new way for permnanant teeth. My daughter has braces and they removed one tooth to put them on and that was a baby tooth that would not come out and throwing some other teeth off.

From my understanding...partial plates are for teeth that are spaced and missing just on the top or the bottom. It should only effect that area. So if the problem is on your lower area...I don't see how the top teeth would effect that.

But then I was only a dental assistant for two weeks(lol) and I may not understand your post. Dental insurance does not always cover great in this kind of area because it could have been prevented and they might consider it cosmetic to a degree, but that is good that you both have coverage.

Also from reading you first post again...even if there is a small amount of the tooth left(and I know they built it up ) they should be able to put a post in it and still be able to get a crown.

Maybe get a second opinion. I know dental cost a ton.

**Shoshana** · 11-15-2008, 08:33 AM

No, Palooka, orthodontists DID do in the past what she said. I've also had 4 wisdom teeth pulled and four of my adult teeth. The ortho said my mouth was too small (ha ha ha) for my teeth and that was the reason they were crowded. So out came four additional teeth -- and not the back ones next to the wisdom teeth, but ones more in the 'middle'' of the back and the front.

**nvmommyx6** · 11-15-2008, 09:13 AM

Get it yanked, there is absolutly no reason to spend a fortune on something you do not need!! And, I just turned 37, I have dentures, does that make me old?!!! I think not!
Spending a fortune on a tooth that you dont need is no different than going out and buying something very expensive that you do not need......thats not frugal!!! And there is nothing "old" about dentures!!!
Good luck!

**Moor** · 11-15-2008, 09:19 AM

I have a top denture. I lost my teeth to a pool stick, when I was 16.

There is no shame in that. Plus, can you think of all the money I have saved over the years by not trying to save all those teeth?

**nvmommyx6** · 11-15-2008, 09:22 AM

Lol Moor.....and the denture cleaning tablets make an awesome toilet bowl cleaner too!! Just drop em in, let it sit for 30 minutes and brush and flush!!! I do not recommend soaking your teeth in the toilet with the cleaner though!!
ROFLMAO

(I lost my teeth to Pireah, and trust me, you don't want that stuff!!!)

**Moor** · 11-15-2008, 09:24 AM

The cleaning tablets also make great jewlery cleaners. lol

**nvmommyx6** · 11-15-2008, 09:34 AM

LOL Thank you Moor....I will keep that one in mind when I need a cleaning, jewelry I mean!!
Seriously Megareader.....Even if I had not lost my teeth to this desease, I would still have no intention of lining a dentists wallet over a tooth all the way in the back of my mouth! I would pay the $1-200 to have it yanked and save myself a fortune in both $ and worry!!

**YankeeMom** · 11-15-2008, 10:13 AM

Mega, I have the same issue with two of my teeth. They were root canaled because they were cracked (weak because we had un-fluoridated water growing up). I never got the crowns put on because it was about $800 PER TOOTH. Now one is broken. What I will probably end up doing is having them pulled and getting a bridge. Mine are the second ones from the very back on both sides of my bottom jaw.

Don't feel old because you have to have stuff done to your teeth. My dentist said when women reach their 30s their teeth just start going downhill, especially if they've had children.

**IntlMom** · 11-15-2008, 10:21 AM

I have bridges on both sides of my lower jaw.....I got em when I was 15!
Certainly I wasn't old then!
NOW I'm old - I'm 38, have had a hysterectomy, serious arthrits (think I;m finally gonna get my right hip replaced next year, have had gray since I was 17......ok, maybe that's it!!)

**rainbowgc** · 11-15-2008, 11:06 AM

Oh poor baby!

**Goodwin17** · 11-15-2008, 06:15 PM

My Dh is 29 and had to get a partial this summer. His top left front tooth! We will not have any money for a long while for an implant. He's super embarrassed of the partial, and he hates going to the dentist. He won't eat out if it something that is hard to eat with the partial in.