I'm frightened out of my mind for a variety of reasons.

I was just eating a salad and suddenly felt some discomfort on the lower lleft molar and noticed that the second one in (I don't have wisdom teeth) is missing the entire back side. The top is jagged. When I looked in the mirror, the bottom is missing all the way to the gum.

I don't know what happened, but I do feel like I did some stupid things recently. Yesterday, I bit into a hard cough drop and earlier today, I bit into a hard carrot. But, just now, I have no idea what happened.

I was in the process of changing dentists and in conversation with the office manager about insurance issues. I have seen this dentist once before about 1.5 years ago. Someone I know with Sjogren's Syndrome (as I have) really likes him. In addition to this, her daughter is a retired chairside assistant and tells me he is the only dentist in my city to see.

So, I called to see if I could come in...don't really care about insurance right now. The receptionist said to come in at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow for a cleaning and the dentist should be able to see me to look at the tooth.

I googled badly broken molar and it said to see a dentist asap. I'm wondering if tomorrow morning is good enough. ?? Also, if I should be on an antibiotic??? I'm starting to have pain, so I took my pain med for my nerve pain, which I have on the other side.

Vowel Lady,

For some reason your post did not appear til this morning!!

By now you have gone to the dentist... what was the diagnosis and can you post an xray?

Bryanna

I like the idea of getting a dx. It is such an obvious, simple thing. I don't know why when it comes to dentistry, myself and many people just have trouble thinking. I don't have a dx, except broken tooth!

Anyway, I had interviewed this dentist before, and thought he was great, but went with another doctor on my insurance. And she has been ok, but is only in the office 3.5 days a week. And, she doesn't seem to know much about nerve pain, and I often sense a cavalier attitude about it coming from her.

I woke up with no pain! OMG! What a reprieve and luck out!

My husband came with me. I reiterated some of my hx. He seemed a little nervous. I think he was surprised that I still have nerve pain 1.5 years later.

He said I was lucky that the tooth is ok and there is a chance it can be bonded. He said that normally he would just put a crown on it, but due to my nerve issue and the Sj. Syndrome, he wants to be conservative (I'm fine with that). So, I have an appt. for the bonding next week on
We briefly discussed tooth 30, which is also at issue. I also wish to discuss this tooth with my neurologist. Didn't go into much detail...

This dentist is very well liked by my friend with SS and her daughter, the retired chair side assistant.

Hi Vowel Lady,

Thanks for checking back with us.
Is the broken tooth root canaled?

When a dentist seems a bit "shy" or unknowing about nerve pain.... this is a huge flag that they are strictly focused on the carpentry aspect of dentistry. Not good and you can understand why I'm sure.

I would like to see an xray of this broken tooth if you feel comfortable posting it. If not, then okay too

BTW... have you read the posts from Rube_Goldberg about her tooth??
Check them out......

Bryanna

I'll see about getting an xray. This tooth is not root canalled.
Well, pretty much EVERY dentist I have interviewed is a bit shy, in total denial or ignorant about nerve pain. AND this is commonly talked about on the boards I frequent.

The one I saw before (the female) came after the bad dentistry. She was highly recommended to me by a few people. (People with hardly any dental or health problems! LOL!) She just doesn't seem to know much about it. I don't really have any qualms about her, but did not feel confident.

The dentist today seemed a little shy about the nerve pain "discussion," but not as much. I think he is confused about why I suddenly decided to come to him. I interviewed him, had a consult and then disappeared for 1.5 years. And that would be confusing as he is not on my insurance, etc....so why come back? But, every time I went to do something with the other dentist, I hesitated. So, all I was doing over there was getting cleanings. And I like that the recommendations for this guy are from a Sj. Syndrome patient and someone in the industry.

The oral surgeon today's Dentist works with (who largely does implants) is the ONLY guy in my city who openly told me that root canals might not be such a good idea for most people. That's about it. I've seen a lot of dentists over the last 2.5 years and it seems to be an avoided, not discussed or even ridiculed discussion, etc.
Looking for Rube_Goldberg...have not read them.