Broke A Tooth :(

Every Thursday night Mike hosts an open mic at one of the bars here. It's our night to get out and do something that doesn't really cost us anything because he gets paid a bit for it and we use that money to have a fun night out. Last night was also our friend Chad's birthday, so we went a bit wild with the drinking - not something we normally do. For some reason Chad and Mike had to stop somewhere before we went to Chad and his girlfriend, Alison's, apartment so Alison and I were walking back there and were going to meet them there. On the way I tripped as we were crossing the street and fell flat on my face. I broke a good chunk out of my front left tooth, it didn't hurt much at the time, which was surprising, but it was very sensitive. I called my parents at 2:30 in the morning crying because I was so upset by it. I have VERY weak teeth and the one that broke already had a good chip in the bottom of it, so it was even weaker because of that. It broke right where the chip was, on a diagonal to my gum. It was about 1/3 of my tooth. 

This morning I woke up and the sensitivity was so bad that I couldn't drink anything without a straw and couldn't eat at all. I could barely talk because whenever I did, air would hit my tooth and it would hurt so bad. My mom called me really early this morning and asked if I wanted her to come up and take me to the dentist. I had to call around trying to find a dentist, I don't have one here in London and am very nervous at them anyways, so that made the problem a lot worse. I called close to 10 places, they either didn't take emergencies that weren't patients or were closed. I finally found one and was able to get an appointment for this afternoon, right when I was supposed to go to work. I called in work, my boss wasn't impressed but did understand, so she found someone to take my shift so I wouldn't have to come in after the dentist. Could you imagine? "I can ring you in over here, don't mind all the drool all over your purchase, I can't help it", lol. 

Anyways, I was getting so nervous about having to go to the dentist and trying to figure out how I could get my tooth fixed without going that I worked myself up so much I just started throwing up (sorry for the detail), it was almost constant from 10am until my appointment at 2. My mom picked me up and off we went. They were so nice at the office, everyone was very supportive and understood my anxiety. I'm really glad that I found them. They took xrays to make sure that the nerve wasn't exposed, explained everything that they were going to do, and gave me the option of waiting a few days and being put out to have the procedure done. I sucked it up, there was no way that I wanted to go to work with half a tooth, and they rebuilt my tooth using the stuff that they use for fillings. They matched the colour so well, you can't even really tell that anything happened. I have to go back in a month to make sure that I don't need a root canal and that there is no infection or abscesses there. I also told them that they are now my new dentist and I will be coming in for regular cleanings and things like that - they were all so helpful and nice. They even gave me some juice from their staff room when I felt sick because I hadn't eaten all day. 

My tooth is still a bit sore, but they said that could last awhile because the tooth is in shock. They told me to get some Colgate Pro Relief toothpaste that I can use to help numb the tooth a bit - it does seem to help - and I'm on a soft diet for the rest of the week. If I do have to eat something hard, I have to cut it up and chew it with my back teeth. 

I was also very impressed with the price - the emergency visit was $125 and the total bill for everything they did was only $407. My mom and I were expecting it to be much much more. 

If you could spare some vibes that I don't have to have a root canal and that I don't develop an abscess I'd really appreciate it. I'm actually really looking forward to going back - something that I've always dreaded - and am happy that I'll be getting all of my teeth looked at and taken care of professionally again. It had been about 4 years since I had been to a dentist at all because my anxiety was so bad. 

Oh ouch that sounds painful!!  I'm really glad you found a good dentist though!  That helps a lot!

I like my dentist a lot because they are so nice there.  I've heard he is planning to retire in a few years though.  I just had a cleaning last week and go back in a few to have a cavity fixed.  I just wish they used the stuff your dentist used.  All the fillings he has done so far have been the silver, awful smelling stuff. 

Ouch. I hate going to the dentist. I haven't been in a while either. Hopefully you don't have to get a root canal. I got one about 4 years ago and it was horrible and I will never get one again. My old dentist wasn't very good and he took his time while doing any work.

Ouch! A broken tooth really hurts - I'm glad to hear you found a dentist who could see you so fast. Lots of that you won't need a root canal or develop an abcess!

Ouch! That had to hurt. Hopefully your mouth gets all better soon!

You know what's funny about it? It didn't hurt at all when I did it (then again, I was a bit drunk, lol), it was the next day and even then, it was just that it was so sensitive. It's still sensitive now and they said it could take up to a week before it calms down. I am to eat only soft foods until Friday and to drink out of a straw so I don't aggravate it more. It feels a lot better today.  

My mom now thinks I have a drinking problem, lol. Mike and I go out for a beer or two there every Thursday, but I'm never drunk, of course the one time that I was is when I get hurt - go figure. 

We've already talked to them and if I do end up needing a root canal then I'll be going to their office where they offer sleep dentistry and be put out for it. That is something I absolutely cannot deal with, I can't deal with getting cavities filled either - this was different because they were basically just cleaning it and putting the new enamel stuff on so there was pretty much no pain involved, other than the sensitivity. 

We're going out to a concert tonight and to celebrate a friend's birthday (different friend, lol). I'm working the door so I can't get out of it, but I'd rather not go. It's right across the street from where I fell. Oh well, it'll still be fun - and I'm limiting myself to only having two drinks so I don't get drunk, lol, the last thing I need is to break it again! 

hno: I, too, am the worst dental patient on the planet. And I am going to have some major dental issues coming up.... I will need to be "knocked out" for the work too. Sorry about your tooth, that must have been so painful too . Maybe a drink or two will help though :lol3: But, be careful :nod:!!!

I only had one drink! I'm not a big drinker anyways, but when we go out I will have one or two. I tripped on the way there (completely sober) but I caught myself - I'm so freaking clumsy, lol. All I could think about was not breaking another tooth. 

I was adamant about not taking a picture of it right after I did it but now I wish I had. There is still a small "gap" when my teeth are lined up because I wouldn't really let them do anymore, lol, and because they could only build me a section that was so big before it would be likely to break when I can eat hard food again. I have a bit of an underbite though so it's not really noticeable, which is definitely better than the giant gaping hole from before, lol. When Chad and Alison saw me tonight they were both like, "You have a tooth again!". It became the running joke of the night. 

One of the older ladies at work today broke of part of one of her back teeth. I guess it happens fairly often to her - she has really weak teeth too. We were joking around at work about how it was break a tooth week and that it shows how good our dental plans are (they are actually pretty good, we just have to pay upfront and then get a cheque for it a few weeks later). 

I wanted to update on this since I have another dentist appointment coming up on Wednesday for a check up and cleaning, lol. 

I went back a month later, they did another set of xrays and everything looks fine! No infection, no obvious need for a root canal at this point, everything is fine except for a bit more sensitivity than normal, but it's manageable. The dentist said that it's still possible that I'll need a root canal in the future, but if I can to put it off as long as possible because of all of the costs that usually come after that. 

I so love this dentist, they're so great and understanding. I'm incredibly forgetful, so I signed up for their text program. They send me a text a month before my appointment, another two weeks before, then one the day before. They also call you a week before your appointment to confirm verbally. Great for forgetful people like myself

Good luck on Wednesday! Sounds like you've a good dentist there!