Dentist in the house?

[KingRichard]

Just chipped a big lump off my front tooth and sallowed it

Any Implications connected with swallowing half a tooth? and is there a way to numb the sensitivity?

I've had a good swig of scotch, doesn't sheem to ave done mush

How much am I looking at to get it fixed? Or can I get it done on the NHS?

BTW I look like a right country bumpkin... or a bare knuckle fighter, might keep it this way

[v8thunder]

I did something like that once - was in the Halifax College computer room (on PH) eating some Polo mints, and I was trying to dislodge what I thought was a bit of Polo from a lower left molar when half of it came away with a horrible snapping sound.

Got the other half replaced by a kind of prosthetic the next time I visited the dentist - they get a mould of your tooth, then implant the replacement half into the gum and fuse it to what remains of the tooth (they've started doing this instead of fillings, when a large 'structural' section of the tooth is concerned). Works good as new and I just don't notice it now.

However, see a dentist a.s.a.p!

I'd imagine swallowing it is pretty similar to swallowing a big fish bone - if you didn't choke on it, you'll be OK.

[KingRichard]

Thats ok then, I knew there was a reason my mother told me not to lick my knife...

Still, could have been worse, I might have stabbed my self in the face if my tooth hadn't stopped the knife.

Don't know why but I put way too much power into the movement of my hand! It was like Putting your foot to the floor in a metro, and realising someone put a V8 under the bonnet. Bizzare!

[love machine]

I had textbook perfect teeth and managed to run into the front of my van whilst pissed and took a chunk out of each tooth, like an upside down V (you know what I mean). One was a root canal job and the other was OK, I opted for temporary crowns (too see how the teeth developed) rather than jumping right in with the full deal. Basically IMO, you want minimum invasion. That means "restoration" (as my dentist calls it) if it is too far gone, a "Glass Crown" (leaves a bigger stump) and then the next less invasive is a Ceramic Crown. A ceramic crown will show up like billyo in photos, I would avoid them like the plague generally, veneers dont work with this sort of damage if the chunk is more than about 1/4 of the tooth (I hear). The advice for minimum intrusive treatment came from my dentist as well as a few dentistry students I know. He's done a good job and my teeth have a lot of life left in them.

Personally, I would sell a kidney to pay a decent, highly recommended dentist. A teeth butcher will just process you and might not do what is right. Get it treated and a temporary crown put on (restoration) and then you can discuss your options further. Get the best dentist you can and I'll say it again, get the best dentist you can.



>> Edited by love machine on Monday 14th March 01:06

[Trooper2]

Hey KingRichard, IIRC clove oil will help deaden the pain of A broken tooth If you don't have any in the kitchen look for plain old aspirin break it in half and put broken edge against the tooth.
It ain't gona taste good but if the Scotch doesn't dull the pain try one of these home remedies.

[driller]

KingRichard said:

Just chipped a big lump off my front tooth and sallowed it Any Implications connected with swallowing half a tooth? and is there a way to numb the sensitivity? I've had a good swig of scotch, doesn't sheem to ave done mush How much am I looking at to get it fixed? Or can I get it done on the NHS? BTW I look like a right country bumpkin... or a bare knuckle fighter, might keep it this way

Richard get to a dentist ASAP. Depending on how close to the pulp (nerve) the chip is, leaving the tooth exposed may have an effect on whether you get to keep a vital tooth. You have tons of bacteria in your
mouth and right now they're all dying to get inside your tooth and infect it.

Driller

>> Edited by driller on Monday 14th March 07:55

[mybrainhurts]

KingRichard said:

Just chipped a big lump off my front tooth and sallowed it Any Implications connected with swallowing half a tooth?

Only if you've got piles........

[mybrainhurts]

love machine said:

I had textbook perfect teeth and managed to run into the front of my van whilst pissed and took a chunk out of each tooth.....

Ha Haha Harrrr..........only in Cornwall, eh....?


who's a silly sod, then....?

[simpo two]

They'll probably make a crown - they fix a post into the stump of the old tooth and make up the missing bit with porcelain or maybe some clever modern plastic.

Private work is generally (but not always) better visual quality than NHS, so if it's very visible that might sway you.

[peterpeter]

simpo two said:

They'll probably make a crown - they fix a post into the stump of the old tooth and make up the missing bit with porcelain or maybe some clever modern plastic. Private work is generally (but not always) better visual quality than NHS, so if it's very visible that might sway you.

As long as your root isnt fractured, this isnt far wrong. You may need a root filling done first though.

It all depends on how much of the tooth is missing and whether there has been an exposure of the pulp chamber (nerve).

If the fracture is small/medium a composite (white coloured) filling can be layered to create a very realistic effect. Dentists have very varied ability in doing this.

If its larger a veneer is a really good option as it is an extremely conservative way of rebuilding the tooth realistically.

Again, dentists skills in veneers vary hugely.
A properly placed well colour-matched veneer using an extremely high quality material is virtually impossible to tell apart.
Plus it can last many many years.
An all ceramic crown is just an extension of a veneer and contrary to what love machin says, is actually very aesthetic if done properly. There is no metal within, so you dont get an opaque looking tooth with a horrible dark margin around the outside.

A crown on a post is the last resort for the tooth.

Finally if its well and truly cream-puffed you can always consider an implant.


With regards to private vs nhs work.

There should be no excuse for private work being visually inferior.
The whole point of private work is that more time is taken by the dentist and the technician. The technicians charge a much higher fee for high quality private work.



>> Edited by peterpeter on Monday 14th March 19:18