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I've just cracked a tooth (the one right behind the eye tooth). I've been told it 'can't be saved' and needs to be pulled and replaced with an implant. I'd like to try to save it, if possible.
Just wondered whether anyone out there has had a cracked tooth and how it was taken care of.
I did a search in the forum, and found some ideas, but would like to hear some personal experiences.
Yes, I had a tooth in miserable shape and then one night I was eating something and it just ... that was it, a big piece just fell out. This sounds so icky thinking back. I guess they put a cap over it. I don't think they did a root canal. Get as many second opinions as you want. I have had wildly varying estimates from dentists - one thought I needed to spend $6000 to have a root canal in each of my upper left back teeth; the next laughed and said I didn't need *any* root canals (the root canals were just based on heat/cold sensitivity). Even with my young child, I first had an estimate of thousands and thousands and the next estimate was for 80% less (from a dentist with a superb rep). So just find the dentist whose approach you like.
Assuming the base/root/whatever is good, just get a cap [crown]. I have 2. One for a tooth cracked about 12 years ago. Was around $400. The second one maybe 5 years ago for another cracked tooth. The price went up a bit to about $550. Shop around and get a couple opinions.
If you are not having pain, that is a good sign!! I would definitely check around. If you find an older dentist, get an opinion from him. The dentist we see is really great about trying to fix the tooth the old fashioned way. He will try to form a filling, even if the tooth is about half broken off. he can work wonders. I think the younger guys, just want you to get a crown and skip the filling
Don't mess around with a cracked tooth, I've had two or three. It needs to be taken care of. But you surely don't need an implant if it's not a back molar. Dentists like implants done where back molars were to attach something to. In my part of town the estimate is over $4,000 for the entire implant/tooth thing. You may be able to do a crown and/or root canal for half that cost. But if you cracked the root, I think the tooth is history. See an endodontist for that. If the tooth must be pulled, you don't need an implant. That's a sales pitch. When it's the last molar in back, that's when it might become more important to have an implant, and that can be done months later if you want one. Otherwise, there are other techniques such as a partial. Those darn dentists are getting as bad as doctors about their sales pitches. Just my two cents.
Those darn dentists are getting as bad as doctors about their sales pitches. Just my two cents.
They generally are more trouble than what they are worth IMO, in a case like the OP's I definitely recommend seeing a dentist and getting second opinions as another person mentioned. All in all though dentists often find problems that never even existed, they are like the Jiffy Lube of health care.
Find a reputable dentist who will tell you the different options that can be done and tell you the pros and cons of each option. I have 4 crowns from broken teeth, one is 34 years old. I've never had a root canal. All of the fillings I have in my mouth have been there since I was a kid. I took good care of my teeth and I expect them to last my lifetime because of it.
My kids, on the other hand, did not take good care of their teeth as teens and young adults even though we spent around $10,000 on braces for each kid. One kid has had 10 root canals, the other has had 4 permanent teeth pulled and 3 root canals.
By taking care of your teeth you should be able to have them til you die. Those who have dentures die (on average) 10 years sooner than those who don't.
my tooth is the exact same way. It hurts really bad but I am afraid of going to the dentist because I am afraid of what they will need to do and afraid of any kind of pain that will be involved. i am really scared but i am in a lot of pain. what do they do to fix a cracked tooth? does drilling hurt?? Is it as bad as i think?
my tooth is the exact same way. It hurts really bad but I am afraid of going to the dentist because I am afraid of what they will need to do and afraid of any kind of pain that will be involved. i am really scared but i am in a lot of pain. what do they do to fix a cracked tooth? does drilling hurt?? Is it as bad as i think?
After the work is all done, you'll wonder why you built it up so much in your own mind. It's a lot easier than we think, and it's the anticipation and fear that is the worst part. Trust me, if you take care of it sooner rather than later, it will be easier. Waiting can multiply the problems. I've done both, and learned from it. Don't wait.
my tooth is the exact same way. It hurts really bad but I am afraid of going to the dentist because I am afraid of what they will need to do and afraid of any kind of pain that will be involved. i am really scared but i am in a lot of pain. what do they do to fix a cracked tooth? does drilling hurt?? Is it as bad as i think?
You're probably in more pain now than you'll have when the dentist fixes it. do it asap and avoid infection and other problems. good luck.
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Just my two cents.
