Another tooth broke

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
Quick trip to my "dentist" this morning. She said the piece that broke off was just the beginning of the tooth's eventual disintegration and it had multiple hairline cracks in it. She does not do extractions and tried to refer me to a dental surgeon that has a local reputation as not being very good. I asked the dentist if I could have her refer me to a dentist of my choosing. She said that she only refers to the aforementioned one. Seems to me that if I am paying OOP, I should have some say in who does the work.
 

What do you gain out of her referral, any financial benefit to using the dentist she said? :confused: Maybe I don't understand, but why can't you just go to any dentist you want, it's your teeth and health involved. I know I wouldn't go to one with a bad reputation, that's for sure. Any chance of saving the tooth without an extraction?
 
If you are paying, Out of Pocket, for your dental work, check with multiple dentists in your area, and search the Internet for reviews on them. You should be able to find one who will do a good job at a reasonable cost. Most dental insurance requires that you use a dentist in their "network", but since you are paying for the work yourself, you should be able to make your own choice.
 

My only bottom tooth broke into below the gum line on Monday afternoon. I got an appointment with my dentist yesterday afternoon and he pulled out the root. It feels fine today and I have an appointment with my denturist tomorrow.
 
debodun said:
Quick trip to my "dentist" this morning. She said the piece that broke off was just the beginning of the tooth's eventual disintegration and it had multiple hairline cracks in it. She does not do extractions and tried to refer me to a dental surgeon that has a local reputation as not being very good. I asked the dentist if I could have her refer me to a dentist of my choosing. She said that she only refers to the aforementioned one. Seems to me that if I am paying OOP, I should have some say in who does the work.
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If you're paying out of pocket, why would you need your dentist's referral?
 
Don M. said:
If you are paying, Out of Pocket, for your dental work, check with multiple dentists in your area, and search the Internet for reviews on them. You should be able to find one who will do a good job at a reasonable cost. Most dental insurance requires that you use a dentist in their "network", but since you are paying for the work yourself, you should be able to make your own choice.
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This is true!
 
SeaBreeze said:
Any chance of saving the tooth without an extraction?
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I theorize that's why my GP dentist wants me to consult with an OMS dentist, although she said that the tooth has multiple fractures and if they start working on it, it could just crumble away. Fortunately, it the rearmost wisdom tooth on the bottom left (tooth #17 on her dental chart).
 
If it's just a wisdom tooth, I could understand not hesitating to get it pulled....good luck, you should get it taken care of by whichever dentist you choose.
 
I was concerned because sometimes if teeth are pulled, the ones around it migrate to fill in the hole and teeth get out of alignment. The dentist said that didn't apply to wisdom teeth. I hope she's correct.
 
For myself if it can't be seen I have it pulled. All these dentists want to do is keep you running so they can get rich. They all will say you have to save the tooth, how are you going to chew? I'm missing about 6 molars and I chew just fine. Sure the other teeth have to pick up the slack but I'm 72 and I'm willing to risk it. Mt sister in law had extensive work done. Thousands to save the teeth. Last month she had them all pulled anyway, her gums were receding and couldn't support those fancy caps and implants.
 
debodun said:
I was concerned because sometimes if teeth are pulled, the ones around it migrate to fill in the hole and teeth get out of alignment. The dentist said that didn't apply to wisdom teeth. I hope she's correct.
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I had my wisdom teeth removed when I was a young woman because they never came in right and were causing considerable pain. I didn't have any tooth migration at all.
 
A cracked tooth is prone to infection of the gum which doesn't do the neighboring teeth any good. I am about to lose a very expensive lower left molar because it is cracked and the gum is infected. This tooth has been treated by a specialist in root canal and then had a crown on it but because it is cracked it has to go. In any case, I'm not prepared to spend any more trying to save it.
 

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