Tooth Broke

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I just had a molar break leaving a sharp edge which is irritating my tongue. I went to my usual dentist who made a window as an emergency appointment. I know she doesn't do extractions, but I had hoped she could smooth it off. I didn't even get to see her. The technician looked at it, then reported to the dentist who messaged to me through the technician that she wouldn't smooth the tooth and I should just have it extracted. They tried to get me an appointment but all their referral oral surgeons were booked through November. I tried on my own to contact some dentists and was told the same thing - they either don't do extractions or they are booked up for months. What can I do?
 

Your 'usual destist' should have made a better effort of referring you to a dentist that does do extractions. That is unreal. With a referral you can get in to see a new dentist much sooner.
 

pamelasmithwick said:
Your 'usual destist' should have made a better effort of referring you to a dentist that does do extractions. That is unreal. With a referral you can get in to see a new dentist much sooner.
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They called three oral surgeons and it was the same - booked up through November. This is SO frustrating. I need emergncy dental care and everyone is turning their backs on me, even my own dentist, wouldn't even look herself - sent in a technician. Of course, I understand that dentists would give their established patiens priority.
 
debodun said:
There's not much left of the tooth. That one broke before and she ground it down. No place to put a cap.
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sorry to hear that Deb, but sadly post Covid lockdown the same thing is happening here.. hubs saw the dentist at an emrgency appointment (which he had to wait 2 days for rather than 2 hours as would be normally the case).. only to be told they can't fix it because some-one else has to do fillings or extractions, and he'd have to wait 2 weeks in pain.. his appointment for the work is not until this coming Friday
 
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All the dental surgeons she called were miles away too, in busy congested traffic areas. However, I found a dentist that is fairly local and can see me on Thursday, which is better than November. But he needs to see my last xrays. I called my regular dentist back and it was like pulling teeth (no pun intended) to get her to send the xrays (I guess because the doctor I found was not one they referred to), but I insisted citing the long waits of their referral dentists. Let's see what happens now.
 
MarciKS said:
You have no dentists there that can pull a tooth? Where the hell do you live? And when did dentists stop pulling teeth?
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They basically stopped at least 10 years ago and gave that part of the Business to Oral Surgeons. I had to force & shame 2 dentists to pull teeth. I don't let up. I'm horrible. I do know an excellent regular dentist who pulls, etc. but he no longer takes my insurance.
 
debodun said:
All the dental surgeons she called were miles away too, in busy congested traffic areas. However, I found a dentist that is fairly local and can see me on Thursday, which is better than November. But he needs to see my last xrays. I called my regular dentist back and it was like pulling teeth (no pun intended) to get her to send the xrays (I guess because the doctor I found was not one they referred to), but I insisted citing the long waits of their referral dentists. Let's see what happens now.
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Good luck hon! I have dentures. Have since my late 30s. You deserve to be cared for. That's what docs are there for.
 
Pepper said:
They basically stopped at least 10 years ago and gave that part of the Business to Oral Surgeons. I had to force & shame 2 dentists to pull teeth. I don't let up. I'm horrible. I do know an excellent regular dentist who pulls, etc. but he no longer takes my insurance.
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I think it's ridiculous. Maybe they're trying to offset because they've found implants & root canals & caps a more money making business. I hate greed with a passion.
 
You have to be more and more proactive. Most medicos I've had to deal with won't do anything unless you shame them into it. My regular PCP thinks a complete physical is looking in your mouth and listening to your chest.
 
It isn't bad enough I have to search far and wide for a handyman/contractor, now I have to look for a dentist that does extractions. I remember when dentists did this. Now most dentists are just glorified dental technicians. If you need anything other than x-rays, cleaning and check-up, they refer you to oral surgeons. Even then, the technicians do the work and the dentist just steps in at the end and glances at your pearly whites. Bill - $350.
 
The pandemic has a lot to do with it. Many medical offices were closed for months and have just started to re-open, so they are playing catch-up with their established patients who have standing appointments. Can't really blame anyone, other than this happened at the worst possible time. I just had an email that I sent to a dentist about 10 miles away that I had contacted when I got home. He doesn't do extractions, either. What do they go to dental college for, anyway?
 
Deb: do what you can to get something done as soon as possible. I broke a molar a few years ago and since it didn't hurt, I called my dentist and told him I wanted to wait 2 weeks until my regular appointment to have it taken care of. Big mistake! During those weeks it became absessed and I had to have an emergency root canal. Fortunately, I had good dental insurance at the time.
Hope things turn out well for you.
 
Thank you, Duster. I even tried calling an emergency care clinic, but of course, they do not do dental work. Of course, another thing that puts them off is I don't have dental insurance. You'd think they would like that better - they get paid up front and don't have to do extra paperwork.
 
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It's very surprising that all the oral surgeons are busy through November, especially since much of their work involves emergencies.

Most dentists stopped doing simple extractions a long time ago, and yours sounds like it's anything but simple, Deb. If most of the tooth is gone, it won't be a matter of yanking it out with glorified pliers.

If the appointment you have on Thursday doesn't work out, you might want to check into oral surgeons in Albany. You'd likely do better in a big city.
 

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