What Would You Do in this Position?

If it is a back molar and out of sight I would not have an implant. My tooth broke a year ago , my usual dentist was in holiday so I was referred to another in the same practice. He said it could not be repaired and drilled it down to gum level. Saw my usual dentist when she returned who said it was best to leave it as it is. It is right at the back and out of sight, does not cause me any trouble. If it is necessary to remove your tooth with its complicated root system I would definitely ask for a GA. and I would not go down the implant route. However I recognize we are not all the same , whatever you do I wish you luck.

Musicgirl

Thank you everyone for your kind words and good advice. I think l might ask about a general anaesthetic and l think l might go for an implant - it is a back tooth and doesn't really show, but l don't really like having a big gap.

If it was a front tooth I'd have an implant.

I don't really miss mine.

They need to refer you to the dental hospital.

If the gap doesn't show when you smile, I'd probably advise having it out and be done with it. No crown, no implant, no bridge.

I have a gap on one side, it can't be seen, at first I missed it but a not very good dentist just tok it out without explaining the alternatives. It's been fine.

Same happened to me- my dentist struggled to get all of a tooth out. His dentist partner couldn’t do it either, so I was sent away with it left in ( feeling bashed around and shocked).
I changed dentists immediately as I’d lost confidence in them.
No problem for a few years until I lost another 2 back teeth. My new dentist advised 2 implants, one each side of my lower jaw, mainly to stabilise other teeth. He warned me he’d have to get out all remnants of the old tooth- I was very worried about this but I trusted him and he managed it. Implants went in with no problems and have been in place 10 years
Probably the best teeth in my mouth!

Back molar I would just leave the gap, save you any future hassle.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and good advice. I think l might ask about a general anaesthetic and l think l might go for an implant - it is a back tooth and doesn't really show, but l don't really like having a big gap.

Had you thought of asking if you could have the rest of the tooth removed under a general anaesthetic? I had really bad dental abscess which made removal of the infected tooth too painful with a local anaesthetic. I had taken two courses of antibiotics with very little effect so this was a last ditch option.
On my day off, I went into a special centre as an anaesthetist had to do the GA. I wasn't under for very long and I went back to work the following day. It was a back molar and I just let the gum heal so I have a gap there now. I hope this is helpful.

Not quite the same scenario, but I’m in the process of having an implant of an upper molar where there is a bit of the root left from when the original tooth was extracted, I didn’t know about it, but when he did the scan for the implant you could see it. The dentist has told me that the bit of root has to be fully removed before the implant can be done because of the potential for it to get infected or cause pain later. He can remove the remaining root and start the implant process on the same day, but it’s a two hour appointment, which is in two weeks time. I think it’s a case of short term pain long term gain, which by the sounds of it is where you are too.

If you're close to a university with a dental faculty, you could ask for a referral. It might be an interesting case study for students!

My husband had exactly this problem. His dentist couldn't extract all of his molar as it was crumbling so much that he couldn't get enough tooth to pull. He was told that his gum would grow over the remains of the tooth, which it has. He has had no further problems.

Last year I broke a tooth and was given temporary fillings twice because the dentist refused to take it out.

I had two lots of anti-biotics because it became infected but she still couldn't remove the tooth because I was on anti-biotics.

Eventually I did have it removed but by this time there so little tooth left it didn't prove easy, although not as bad as your experience.

I really hope you get it sorted soon.

How painful for you! My dentist attempted to extract my broken wisdom tooth and couldn't get the root out because it's twisted and is too far down in the gum to be dealt with at the dentist's surgery, so I have been referred to a hospital orthodontist who will remove it. The appointment is soon but meanwhile it has a life of its own and is rotating in my gum. Sometimes it pushes a little bit of tooth through the gum and then goes back in. Can't wait to have the thing cut out!

That sounds awful, I’m so sorry. Some years ago my then dentist told me that the roots of one of my teeth were so entangled with the nerve that if it ever had to be extracted it would have to be done in hospital. Thankfully the tooth is still ok. Not quite the same situation as you have but maybe you would need similar treatment if the roots of your tooth have to be extracted? I hope the senior dentist can give you good advice and that you feel better soon.