Cracked my main eating molar; haven't been to dentist since I was a kid.

[FrightenedJerk]

I decided just to do it and went in today for the first set of fillings - three teeth worked on. What I'm finding through the cleanings I've done and these fillings is that the actual procedure doesn't cause me much stress at all. I've been able just to lay back and take it. It's the psychological stress related to my OCD plus the fear that something could either go wrong or be worse than anticipated that haunts me. I'm just going to need to try to deal psychologically with the fact that I have the resin/colored fillings. This dentist moves very fast and did not explain how things would go, just dove right in. That's fine, I guess. I was anticipating it to be a much slower procedure because I had read that's the case, but it went very fast. They drilled and filled. He said that one tooth had a cavity that was down close to the nerve, so he's glad they got to it. I don't know what that means for the teeth on the other side, where I have at least four fillings remaining.

However . . . it's currently about three hours since I received the novocaine injection, and the right side of my face, including part of my tongue, and even some of my ear, are still numb. Apparently that's a possibility, but it's unnerving. I had novocaine for the gum therapy I had, but that wore off in like a half hour. I'm unable to tell if my bite is good. Concerned.

 

[night_natter]

@FrightenedJerk Hi there,
These are all familiar concerns to me. I just wanted to share that I too have recently had multiple fillings. All composite. In fact, I’m having all my old amalgam fillings replaced with composite.
Every time I have a filling (lower jaw at least) I need to have extra numbing, so I also experience 3-4 hours of numbness afterwards. My last session saw me rather embarrassingly fail to consume my lunch properly at work afterwards.
I also find that my bite needs to be adjusted on my following visit. This has happened because I can’t properly feel it when I’m so numb. So my last two visits, for fillings and a crown have needed further bite adjustment. Not a big deal at all and no need for further numbing - just a polish that doesn’t hurt.
If you have any concerns or sensitivity in your bite, make sure you go back to get it checked, is my strong advice.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

@night_natter Thanks for your feedback! Four hours later, and it still hasn't totally worn off. It's starting to, but when I try to clench down, my teeth still feel stiff and like they won't fit together. He said that he only put a filling in the biting surface of one tooth; the others were on the sides. So I'll find out I guess when it wears off if the bite is correct. I'm a teeth clencher; I clench when tense and probably during sleep. So if the bite is off, that's not good.

I would have preferred amalgam fillings for my stated, ridiculous OCD reasons, but I did not do proper research before choosing this dentist; they aren't offered.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

Each time I have gone to the dentist over the last five months (three cleanings, one dentist consult/one oral surgeon consult, 3 of at least 7 fillings done), I've gotten a little "high" of having accomplished something, but before long that comes crashing down when I realize that I have even worse things to do that are hypothetically coming up. I had wanted next to get the second round of fillings (I'm concerned that one could turn into a root canal), then get the wisdom tooth out, then perhaps try to decide on what to do with the two cracked molars (3 and 19) that need removed in terms of doing them consecutively which would be my preference, whether to get bone grafts and whether to try for implants (though my concern is that I would not be able to get implants due to the structure of my sinus cavity).

Tooth 3 is the one that cracked in October and started all of this. What currently sucks is that it is cracking even more. Somehow during or after the filling process of the tooth behind it, some more of the tooth material seems to have cracked off. I suspect that my uneven bite while I had novocaine in caused some more to chip off. Then I was just eating tortilla chips today (those damned things; a different brand caused the crack in October), and even though I didn't feel it and I wasn't even eating on that side, even more has cracked off out of the middle of the tooth, leaving a very precarious shard on the cheek side. I haven't eaten on that side probably since November due to some pain I had when food got up inside the tooth. So unless it's something totally soft, I can't eat on it lest I crack off even more of the tooth. This moves up my timeline, meaning I'd hypothetically need to get that tooth out first. If I got both molars out at the same time, I'd not be able to eat, basically.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

I guess this is virtually a journal at this point. Just thought I'd update it. I had the first set of fillings on the right side over two months ago. I still haven't scheduled the second set on the left side. On the right side, a small pink bump has developed on the gums right up against one of the molars that was filled. I'm kind of concerned about it, of course.

My whole deal is extreme procrastination. I had gone to an oral surgeon and got ideas for treatment, before the fillings. I was wanting to get the wisdom tooth out, then the right cracked molar (3), and deal with the whole potential for a bone graft and implant with that first before number 19 which is also cracked, as taking them both out at the same time would not allow me to eat anywhere near properly. However, number 3 has cracked even further. Currently its middle seems like it is basically cracked out, leaving kind of a C formation from the bottom. I haven't eaten on that side probably all year, but even when something like water touches that, I get a twinge of pain which goes away soon, but it's still a twinge. Obviously the nerve is totally exposed. So even though I wanted to wait, obviously that might not be possible.

I have a cleaning scheduled in a few weeks, and I'm concerned about it because I don't want to be yelled at for not getting the fillings or getting this molar removed. So I either need to do one or both, or reschedule the cleaning.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

Even after I have started back going to the dentist as described above, my unbelievable issues with procrastination look like they have dealt me a blow. Back in March I got the first set of fillings, and the dentist said tooth 31 was very deep, but he was able to fill it fine. I asked him about the tooth on the other side, 18, which also needs filled, what shape that was in. He said he would only know once he got in to look. I said then that I'd schedule my next set of fillings soon. It's been over four months and I haven't scheduled them.

Over the past month plus, I've sometimes woken up with a slight ache around tooth 18. Right in front of that is one of the two molars that is cracked (it's been cracked since 2008, but I've only started eating on it since October). Sometimes food gets stuck between those two teeth and I get discomfort. But with this I can't tell whether it's a gum issue in that area or something with the tooth, perhaps below the gumline. So it's most likely that that tooth is headed for a root canal when, if I had gone sooner, he might have been able to fill it just like the one on the other side. So it's my fault.

And of course this is not even mentioning the two cracked molar extractions I have kept putting off.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

Well, I've basically hit "emergency" status. I mentioned above that I have been having periodic pain on the left side, and have determined that the tooth affected is the cracked one which never gave me pain in the 16 years since it cracked. I had not eaten on it between 2008 and last year when I had the crack in tooth 3 on the other side. That tooth has progressively cracked more to the point that I cannot eat on it as I believe the nerve is exposed. So basically all this year I have eaten on the left side on 19 which has worked out well, until recently with the periodic pain which would come mainly in the morning and subside. Yesterday evening the pain came and is more significant and is not going away. Anytime I bite down on it, it is very painful, but only a throb when not biting/chewing. So I cannot eat on either side, properly.

I've already been to an oral surgeon, in March, who said he would "work on my timetable" for removing the molars and placing implants. Looks like 19 needs removed ASAP, and I'm sure he isn't going to be happy about my procrastination. I wouldn't be surprised if I have caused harm to the jaw. What I need to decide is whether I want to get both molars out at the same time, or stagger it. Given that I cannot eat on the other molar, 3, it almost doesn't matter except for the intensiveness of the operation. I definitely do not want to do general anesthetic which he said I might want to do if I choose to get both at the same time. If anybody has any feedback, I'd appreciate it.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

I guess I'll update this as a "journal". I went for an additional cleaning appointment later last year, but have not followed up for the second round of fillings, nor have I had either of the two hopeless molars removed. The procrastination on the fillings has cost me because yesterday when I was eating, the back portion of number 18 cracked off, and I guess I swallowed it. It's probably a third of the tooth extending from a bit of the top, around the corner, and down one side which already had a hole in it. A similar tooth was on the exact opposite side and was filled last year, with the filling material dropping down the side to cover that hole.

So I'm in a bad position. I have been eating only on that left side due to the upper cracked molar on the right, and this just makes it harder to eat. I got messages from my dentist a few months ago that they want me to come in for those fillings (not to mention the extractions which an oral surgeon would do), and I just kept procrastinating. I'm not sure what the prognosis would be for this new crack, whether it could be fixed using a filling that would be bonded to the rest of it, whether a crown would be needed, or if it would need to come out just like number 19 next to it.

I've been having a very bad year, and this just makes me more depressed . . . and it's all my own fault.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

@FrightenedJerk Hi, I have read most of your story. I have lost both my molars on the bottom left (or all 3 if you want to count having no wisdom teeth) and have one molar on the bottom of the other side. I understand your concerns about eating but it is easier to eat without teeth than it is to eat with teeth that are painful to chew on. I wish I had left well enough alone after I had tooth 19 extracted but trying to replace it with a bridge caused me to lose the second molar behind that extraction. I had the second molar on the opposite side extracted at the same time because I did not want to go through it twice. It was done years ago and I ate fine. I am now facing the possibility of losing the only molar I have left on the bottom as I am not sure it can be repaired and due to what I have been through, I am to the point that I might prefer an extraction over having to get it worked on. Anyway I am telling this in a roundabout way just to say you will still be able to eat if you get your extractions.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

@ScaredyCat22 Thanks for your feedback. I'm looking at getting implants for both of the molars - 3 and 19. I had a consult with the oral surgeon a year ago, but as I say, because of my procrastination, I haven't gone back. I would prefer not to have missing teeth, but I also am aware that someone may not be able to have an implant at least on the top due to the height of your sinus cavity (not sure what restrictions disallow a bottom implant). Did you consider implants, or could you today?

I'm concerned that if number 18 which is the one that newly broke (it already had a deep cavity) needs removed, and I can't get implants, that I won't be able to eat on my left side.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

@FrightenedJerk Even if it turns out for some reason you are not able to get implants you will still be able to eat on that side after the extraction site is healed. I have no molars on the left and still eat on that side, although there are times hard foods may give me a momentary pain. I know you like tortilla chips lol. I have not given up chips even without molars on that side. I still have my premolars to chew on.
I never considered implants, partly due to the thousands of dollars it would cost, but I do not think I would have done it even if money were no object. Just due to the sheer terror I have of dental procedures.

 

[IDontLikeTeeth]

Hey @FrightenedJerk, I just joined the forum after reading through your thread. I'm in a similar situation, I've postponed going to the dentist for decades and only recently found the courage to do something about it. I had a couple of extractions and implants done. Feel free to ask about them if you want. To be honest, it was probably worth it, but not very pleasant at all because I'm very sensitive to pain. Arguably, a couple of seconds or minutes of bad pain are probably better than a decade of feeling depressed about my teeth, but I still have trouble dealing with that.

Regarding composite vs. amalgam filings and crowns, I think you're better off with composite or ceramic. You said you've had both, but to me, amalgam feels like licking a tin can, while the others feel like.. dunno, licking a mug or a plate. Plates are glazed, but the glaze doesn't come off of them, while amalgam fillings leech some not very fun metals. I'd like to get mine replaced, but I have bigger issues I need to deal with.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

@IDontLikeTeeth Thanks for your message. The cracked #18 I mentioned above has gotten worse; it's not just the side but also some of the middle top that has broken off, leaving what I guess is the brown dentin below it. I have a feeling that a dentist will tell me that that needs to come out. Still, I keep procrastinating about making that appointment. If I had gotten that second round of fillings on the left over a year ago which is when I got the first round, I probably wouldn't be in this position. I'd still need two teeth removed, but this is bad.

At any rate, thanks for relaying your situation. If you don't mind me asking, what teeth did you have removed, and did you get implants for all of them? Any issue with the ability to get implants such as the height of the sinus cavity or anything? How do the implants feel? (If you would prefer to send a private message, that's fine.)

 

[IDontLikeTeeth]

I got implants on teeth 14 and 36. It was about two months ago, so no abutments or crowns yet. I didn't need a sinus lift on 14. The implants don't feel like much, I guess. For the first month or so I'd sometimes get a bit of dull pain for one second or two, about twice a week. Otherwise I don't feel them or know what they're up to. The procedure itself wasn't fun at all (no sedation option here), but at least it didn't hurt for long.

I still have one more to go (26), and I need a sinus lift, which I'm terrified of.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

@IDontLikeTeeth Thanks! Tooth 26 is on the bottom, though, isn't it? Where is tooth 36? I'm not finding it on a map. As far as the sinus lift, what is involved in that? Have you considered just foregoing getting the implant in that tooth spot?

Do you eat on the spot where you have the implant?

 

[IDontLikeTeeth]

I guess it's a different numbering system, my 26 is an upper molar, 36 is a lower one on the same side.

The sinus lift is usually cutting a small hole on the side of your jaw, pushing up a membrane and filling the hole with bone particles. There's also another way of doing it, right through the tooth socket (after the extraction), which is gentler but seems worse long-term.

I didn't really consider foregoing the implant, I want to get it (and also to get my other issues from the past two decades fixed). I already got two root canas re-treated and crowns for them. I'm just procrastinating because I'm afraid of the pain.

I can still eat normally (as far as I can with three missing teeth, two crowns, a bunch of new and old fillings and a dozen cavities), but I avoid sharp or hard foods like chips and peanuts. I can physically eat them though.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

@IDontLikeTeeth How has your situation been going? Did you get the sinus lift yet, and how did that go?

Things are sort of coming to a head for me because of my procrastination. I posted back in April about some of #18 (bottom left second molar) cracking off, but of course I haven't gone to the dentist about it. Then a couple days ago, even more cracked off, so that's the third cracking of that tooth. A shard is sticking up that could easily crack with anything hard, so I'm trying to avoid eating on it because I can't eat on my right side and haven't since late 2023. I'm at the point where I basically can't avoid it any longer even though I was trying to wait until after a potential beach vacation in September to start the extraction process for those two, and currently almost definitely three, teeth. Number 18 cannot be saved. So that's 3, 18, and 19 that would need removed so far.

I'm just kicking myself that I didn't get those fillings on the left side when I easily could have done it close to my right side fillings last year.

 

[FrightenedJerk]

Just thought I'd update this if anybody is reading and has some perspective or is in a similar situation. I'm very ashamed because I was actually doing pretty well as far as going to the dentist in 2024 after I cracked #3 in fall of 2023. I went in for a few cleanings, had fillings put on one side of my mouth, but never went back for the fillings on the left side, leading to the crack in #18 which has gotten even worse over time and will cause it to need to be removed as well.

So that is three vital chewing molars that need removed - #3, #18, and #19 (the latter of which cracked in 2008). I want to get implants for all three if my mouth will allow it (i.e., any potential issues with sinus height for #3 and nerve placement in bottom). I realize this is something vital that I need to do, but I keep procrastinating. Last year was the worst year I have ever had for various personal reasons I won't get into. So it caused me to stop cold in going to the dentist, and I didn't go at all.

As far as eating, I have not really chewed on my right side since #3 cracked. The crack is deep and pressure on it or food getting up into it causes soreness. I had been exclusively chewing on my right side since 2008 when #19 cracked, but returned to chewing on my left after #3 cracked. Even though #19 on the left was only three quarters of a tooth held together by an old filling from when I was a kid, it did pretty well. After #18 cracked last year, I started chewing a bit more forward on that side so as to minimize any pressure on #18. I also haven't eaten anything crunchy like tortilla chips or nuts in a year. Well last night it came to a head when I pushed it a bit too much and ate a somewhat dense bagel. I put too much pressure on #19 and a portion of the remaining whole side of it cracked. It didn't come off right away, and I had to pick it out eventually with my toothbrush. So the tooth has an even more precarious feel. I actually don't know what the portion that broke was resting on - actual tooth structure underneath it or the gum that had grown over the broken area. All to say that this is going to affect how I eat even moreso.

So this makes me feel very anxious and depressed because I really had been angling towards getting this done relatively soon and wanted to get some personal stuff done (on which I had also extremely procrastinated) before launching into it and dealing with that level of physical and mental pain. I'm also very concerned about how the dentist and oral surgeon and hygienist will treat me. They were all pretty nice when I went a couple years ago, and if I had stayed on the plan, I'd potentially have this resolved and maybe could have kept #18. But my continued procrastination has brought me to this point, and I can't take being browbeat. I want to make it clear that my personal issues have led me to this.