Fractured tooth?

[MountainMama]

I now have another tooth issue. My 2nd molar on the lower left...I woke up this morning and the tooth was slightly achy, and would feel sensitive when I took a deep breath. There is no molar above it. The very end of it touches the first molar on the top.

I looked in the mirror and can see a large crack going vertical and a horizontal crack as well. It almost looks like a circular crack in the center. When I run my tongue or finger over it, it feels very rough and I can catch my fingernail on the cracks. The tooth does have a large filling. The pain on a deep breath originates from the cracked area.

I have no idea how this happened. There is no tooth above it. This is my only chewing side, but I haven't chewed anything harder than cooked hamburger. I do wear a nightguard, which does touch that tooth. Could that have caused it?

I am supposed to go on vacation, flying internationally, in less than two weeks. I am terrified to go now, as that is the only side I can chew on, and now I am scared to eat at all.

I am calling the dentist Monday, but I know they wouldn't be able to get me in before the trip.

Any suggestions on how to handle this? Should I not go overseas? It is a good 8 hour flight, with two layovers. It is an island with two dentists, no idea how good they are. I knew the tooth in front of it was cracked, but not this one.

 

[geos]

Could you see an emergency dentist?

 

[MountainMama]

Could you see an emergency dentist?

We don't have any in this area. I don't think there is one within an hour or two.

 

[MountainMama]

Could you see an emergency dentist?

I did more googling and couldn't find any actual emergency dentists. There were some labeled as "emergency", but then on their website their was a disclaimer that if it was a true emergency to go to the ER, as they could not guarantee an appointment within a few days. I may end up calling a few, just to see if I can get in. It is starting to ache more. Bad thing is that I would have to bring my kids, which would not be ideal. The last thing I want to do is give them dental anxiety having to watch me go through this. I have been trying really hard to shield them from all this. They are still young, and my daughter is the age I was when I had those awful experiences that gave me my fear. I have no childcare available, as my usual babysitter is out of state for the next month.

 

[Judythecat]

So sorry to read this. Does your own dentist not have emergency slots? Mine has two per day with each dentist, kept free for people who call at 8.30am with pain.

 

[MountainMama]

So sorry to read this. Does your own dentist not have emergency slots? Mine has two per day with each dentist, kept free for people who call at 8.30am with pain.

I wish! Since the other dentist (that I used to go to) left the practice, he has been swamped. When I had my tooth extracted, I got lucky and just happened to have someone call and cancel right before I called them. Otherwise it was going to be a 2 month wait, even though it was hurting. I am going to have to find another dentist. I just hate the idea of starting over again. It was hard enough when my dentist left.

 

[Kns]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. Sending you good wishes to be able to be seen by someone before your trip. You deserve a pain-free and relaxing vacation with zero dental worries or thoughts!!

 

[Gordon]

Give your dentist a ring, explain the circumstances to the receptionist and see what they can do. Most of us would fit you in somewhere just for a quick look.

 

[MountainMama]

Give your dentist a ring, explain the circumstances to the receptionist and see what they can do. Most of us would fit you in somewhere just for a quick look.

I will try tomorrow. I hope they can. I don't know what he can do short notice, but hopefully he can do something to get me through the trip. We have been planning and saving for five years for this trip and I don't want to have to stay home!

 

[MountainMama]

I would also prefer not to see someone else who has no knowledge of my background with all this dental work. I will probably switch dentists, as he is so hard to get into now, but I will stay until all the work he has started is finished. I plan on having him put in the crowns for my implants.

On a positive note, my former dentist, that I loved, moved her new practice closer! It is 45 minutes, but I drive that far to get to the oral surgeon, so it is doable. She was fantastic!

 

[MountainMama]

Give your dentist a ring, explain the circumstances to the receptionist and see what they can do. Most of us would fit you in somewhere just for a quick look.

They are going to work me in tomorrow! The receptionist warned me that I may be waiting for quite some time, though. My kids won't be too happy about that, but they will have to deal.

The receptionist said that if the tooth has to come out, they may try to work me in next week. However, if I got it extracted before my trip, I wouldn't be able to eat while on vacation, as that is my only chewing side right now. I am so worried about this! Plus, the roots on this molar are awful (the endodontist called them the "roots from hell") so I would prefer the extraction be done by the oral surgeon.

The tooth and jaw are still achy feeling. The pain isn't too bad, but there is a definite constant awareness that makes me want to constantly rub my jaw, like when you sleep wrong and your neck hurts.

 

[Gordon]

That's good they've fitted you in, hopefully it won't be too bad!

 

[MountainMama]

That's good they've fitted you in, hopefully it won't be too bad!

I just hope whatever it is won't prevent me from going on vacation! I need this vacation desperately. I want to forget about my teeth for a week and deal with them when I get back.

 

[MountainMama]

So good news and bad news. Good news is that the tooth is not fractured. There is a place where an old composite filling has broken and left a rough spot. The lines I was seeing are apparently tiny cracks that are not worrisome at this stage. The dentist saw no infection. He tried to do the bite test to check for cracks, but could only do it on two cusps because I don't have an opposing molar. The two he checked did not hurt, though.

Bad news is that he has no idea why it is aching. My jaw really aches, just like the other side did before the molar showed up with the nerve going bad. I had brought my night guard, so he took a little off where the tooth would connect, in case it was due to clenching on it at night.

I was cleared for vacation, though!

 

[Rls15]

Great news, have a fantastic holiday

 

[MountainMama]

Great news, have a fantastic holiday

Thank you! It is nice to have something to look forward to! I am praying my teeth don't act up before next Friday. I am eating very soft foods and being super cautious.

 

[MountainMama]

The hygienist did bring up the crown I was supposed to get on the first molar on that side. I told her I cancelled it and why. She seemed annoyed by that, but the dentist didn't even blink when I told him. He said that my teeth don't seem to react typically, so he understood. He said I could leave it until I am able to chew on the other side, and if it gets worse before then, we can come up with another plan.
He also said he was going to buff the 2nd molar, where the piece of filling broke and left a jagged spot. I panicked and told him it wasn't bothering me, and that I was scared any work at all on it was going to aggravate the nerve, since that has happened with every other tooth. He didn't laugh at me or correct me, even though I know it is an irrational fear. He just said to let him know if I change my mind

 

[badpatch]

The hygienist did bring up the crown I was supposed to get on the first molar on that side. I told her I cancelled it and why. She seemed annoyed by that, but the dentist didn't even blink when I told him. He said that my teeth don't seem to react typically, so he understood. He said I could leave it until I am able to chew on the other side, and if it gets worse before then, we can come up with another plan.
He also said he was going to buff the 2nd molar, where the piece of filling broke and left a jagged spot. I panicked and told him it wasn't bothering me, and that I was scared any work at all on it was going to aggravate the nerve, since that has happened with every other tooth. He didn't laugh at me or correct me, even though I know it is an irrational fear. He just said to let him know if I change my mind

May be anxiety causing it to hurt more ? Any pain killer u can try?

 

[MountainMama]

May be anxiety causing it to hurt more ? Any pain killer u can try?

I can take tylenol now. When I travel next week, I am not allowed to take anything stronger into the country I am going to. It could be anxiety. Of course, the upper 1st molar has started hurting and aching now, so my mind goes straight to "that one has been the issue all along, and I didn't have it checked". Lol. I know I sound crazy, though. I need to focus on my vacation with my family. It will be a lot of fun for us...first time out of the country. This past year, when we moved to the East side of rhe country, we took a mini vacation to the ocean, and it was the first time my kids had seen it! So going to an island in the Caribbean will be so much fun for them!