OMIGOD! The front part of my tooth just broke off!

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   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   Now I look like a homeless person who lives in a cardboard box under a bridge!  It's the same tooth I wrote about that I had the root canal treatment on!  Serves me right for going to a cheapie Chinese dentist!  Oh my God!  A stump jutting out in the front and the back of my tooth intact!  Are there any dentists on hubpages who can advise me what my options are and what I can do?  The worst is, that I must have eaten my tooth!  It was there before I started eating my choose and tomato bread roll, and when I finished and licked my lips, I felt like something felt strange in my mouth and it was GONE~!  It's a canine and so visible.  I can never smile ever again!  I'm starting to feel hysterical.  Has anybody got any advice?

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      ralwusposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Better check yer stool tomorrow for the valuable tooth dear. hehe Oh what fun. sorry for laughing t yer expense, I just can't help it. haha good luck now

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         Am I dead, yet?posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         xD ralwus! this is true though. still laugh, it is healing. I bet you are still a cutie.
         
         see
         
         http://www.flickr.com/photos/salvatoref … 754783601/

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            blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            this is so true C.C I checked my dog's stool cause I blamed him for swalowing my crown that day, I had people down on their hands and knees searching. I said you better check that dog's poopsie, where in fact I had swallowed it.

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      Pearldiverposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      There is nothing wrong with being homeless or owning a cardboard box Or living under a bridge!!
      And to most I'm sure your smile is just as it was before.
      Good luck Cindyfang, it could be worse... ask the guy in the cardboard box.

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   Leta Sposted 15 years ago

   OMG!  Serious?  That would freak me out.  Are there emergency dentists there?  My boyfriend's son had something like that and they put an emergency cap on for him until he could have it fixed permanently.
   
   Any American sector where you are if you don't trust Chinese docs?

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   \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

   Is it the crown that has come off or the tooth,,,

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   \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

   dentists are wonderful people, they will sort it out for you, get them to send you a bill, but tell them it is an emergency..... you must be seen now...

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   Leta Sposted 15 years ago

   OMG, Cindy...I hope you are not...are you, ??!  No...  (if that makes sense.)

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   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   Lita, no American dentists, am limited to a Chinese dentist that is cheap and speaks no English, and a Chinese dentist that charges a fortune because they can speak a little English. 
   Not the crown, the whole front of my tooth, there is just a little stump sticking out like when a baby's tooth first appears, and then the rest of the tooth like normal at the back hanging down like a curtain.
   CC, this is serious not to be laughed at.  How can I ever open my mouth in public again?  It gives new meaning to being bitten on the bum if I pass the tooth in my stool.  And don't tell me to look for it!  Disgusting unsympathetic man. lol

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   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   I feel for you. I recently had a lot of dental work so I sympathize. I hope you can get it fixed up quickly.

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   Lucey Knightposted 15 years ago

   Oh my gosh Cindy....I hope you are ok.  I would look for a 24-hour emergency dentist.  Good luck-

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   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   But what can they do?  The whole front is gone, vamoosed?????

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      Uninvited Writerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I had a similar problem, a filling and bonding fixed it. I'm sure they do that in China?

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    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    ahhhhhhhhhhh Lucy, this is China!

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       Lucey Knightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I forgot, I'm sorry....

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       seemorebangkokposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I find it kind of hard to believe that in a country with a billion people you can't find a good chinese dentist. If you're out in the boonies it's cheaper for you to head to major cities like Beijing or Shanghai instead of Malaysia or Thailand.
       
       Good luck

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          cindyvineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I went to a supposedly good cheap Chinese dentist for root canal and now have half a tooth.  God, it lookd so ugly.  Might go to the expensive one in town tomorrow and try and claim from medical insurance.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    They can put a crown on. They put a "post" up into your jaw and then they attach the crown to the post. I have had a couple done that way when my teeth had severe decay. I think it added about $65 to the total cost of the crown.
    
    It's not the same as an implant because the root is intact and the post goes in there somehow.

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       Laughing Momposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       But if you've had a root canal, the root is no longer there.  Sounds like an implant is a viable option.

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    Leta Sposted 15 years ago

    Cindy-
    
    http://www.imako.net/before.html
    
    Maybe will help??  She even kinda looks like you...  Best I can do!  Not a permanent option, but until you can have permanent work..

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    Lissieposted 15 years ago

    Well its gonna cost a lot less than Asia than anywhere else. There are heaps of good English speaking dentists in Thailand and Malaysia - it sounds like you will need a crown or bridge - I only know that cause i need a crown for which I was quoted over US$1200 in Australia - which can be done by one of the best Australian trained dentists in KL for about US$300 - I'd suggest you find a recommendation on the expat boards, make an appointment and hop on a cheap air asia flight

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       shinujohn2008posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       In India it will be very cheap and is costing below 40 to 70 dollars for good dental treatments.

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    girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

    I chipped the top of one of my bottom teeth and really freaked out, so I know how you must feel! Mine was just a tiny chip, but I really can sympathize with what you are going through right now; it is scary at first!
    
    Don't worry; it can be fixed with a veneer. It won't be cheap, but you will have a normal looking tooth again.
    
    Also, don't worry about swallowing it...won't cause any damage at all. It will simply pass or more likely, be dissolved by all the acid in your stomach.
    
    
    Good luck!

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    \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

    It can be done, as I said get the bill later..... I spent lots of money on crowns etc, so now I have insurance.... They wont leave you like that though, dont panic.....
    
    I know what you meant now in Blondepoet's interview, things always happening to you, but it will give you at least one hub....
    
    It is 3a.m. here off to bed, will look in the morning to see how things are with your tooth.....

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    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Thanks guys for the advice and encouraging before and after photo, Lita.  Am just finishing off my hub I'm working on, then off to the dentist to see if the cheap nasty one down the road is open today!

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    ripplemakerposted 15 years ago

    Hi cindy, I used to be a dentist...LOL I've changed paths along life's way.  Anyhow, the crown has to be replaced.  Hope the dentist did a good root canal treatment...exposure might cause infection.

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       cindyvineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Ripplemaker, I think this happened because of the root canal.  the gum feels a lttle swollen now where the small fragment of tooth is in the front, then there's a big hole and the back of the tooth like normal.  How do they crown that?

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    blondepoetposted 15 years ago

    oh Cindy you are copying me, one of my front teeth is a crown and it fell off when I was swimming, lucky one of my friends went back to the pool and saved it. Then I lost it running in the rain, and again I found it, three I then lost it for good I accidentally swallowed it, but thought at the time it was my dog that ate it....omg I know how you feel, I was totally traumatised, you got to get help....it made me feel like omg I can never smile again

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    blondepoetposted 15 years ago

    Yes laughing mom that is what I had done it does not hurt and if they fall off like mine, it pays to hunt them down as they are not cheap. They can put a little tracking device in them in case you have to locate them in  a emergency

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       cindyvineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       God, a tracking device!  I'll be like a sniffer dog tracking down drugs or someting.  Jeez, haven't gone to the dentist yet.  Not sure they'll be open on a Sunday, but also not sure if I can trust the guy who did my root canal.  I mean, it is probably his fault the whole front of my tooth came off and I ate it with my roll.

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    VioletSunposted 15 years ago

    I had this happen to me years ago, after I had finished dressing and putting the final touches to my makeup before heading off to work; my front tooth broke. I was hysterical, LOL, but a friend of mine from work connected me to his very expensive dentist, who gave me an emergency appointment and replaced the tooth with a temporary cap. Fortunately, I had dental insurance then, which I don't nowadays.
    
    I wish you luck Cindy! Being toothless ain't fun.

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    blondepoetposted 15 years ago

    I agree it is not fun I felt like a homeless person without a tooth

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    blondepoetposted 15 years ago

    http://www.celebitchy.com/52406/demi_mo … ing_tooth/

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    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Thanks for your genuine concern.  I might just fly to India.  Goa was one of my favourite holidays.  My medical insurance only covers dentistry in accidents and acute pain I think they said.  Well I accidentally went to the cheap dentist down the road because of acute pain, so I think that qualifies me to go to the expensive dentist tomorrow and claim it on my medical insurance.  Why now when I'm too broke to pay attention.

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    blondepoetposted 15 years ago

    You better get on a plane to India ,you got a sari to don yourself  for the occssion. Look better still whack on a bright coloured table cloth, I am boarding my private jet now to come pick you up

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       countrywomenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       BP- No need to trouble your private pilot when tooth fairy can come over.
       
       PS: A fairy in Indian sari is rare but hopefully this will do.
       
       

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    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Oh shit Blonde, just have to pop over to a friend she's in a terrible state.  Kid in her class died in a car accident yesterday, OMIGOD, and here I am worried about a silly old tooth.  Jeez, will email you later!  Just need to find outr which kid as some have siblings in my class.  Shit, shit, shit

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       countrywomenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Oh oh that is too bad. I hope things get back to normal soon.
       
       It is indeed sad to hear of your pain and hopefully you get it fixed by a good cosmetic dentist. I know how important a good smile can be to our personality. I wish you a speedy recovery for both your tooth and life in general back to normalcy.
       
       PS: Here is some "tooth" humor to cheer you up.
       

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    Mighty Momposted 15 years ago

    Oh dear, oh dear. Nothing like a real crisis to put our own issues into perspective, eh? So sorry to hear about the car accident and I hope none of your students is affected.
    Also very sorry to hear about your tooth crisis.
    You've gotten some great advice. Not sure how you feel about going back to the dentist that did the work originally -- he should be liable for fixing the damage (no doubt his mistake) and it shouldn't cost you. But I also understand if you don't trust him and want to go elsewhere. Not knowing what your insurance requirements are, I would hate for you to have to pay for this out of pocket when it absolutely is an ACCIDENT that caused this situation!
    Good luck with it.
    Your HP friends will be rooting (not root canaling) for ya! MM

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    tksenseiposted 15 years ago

    Yow. I remember when I lived in Xi'an there WASN'T any dentist around. Every so often a dusty old dude would pull a rickety old wooden cart into the neighborhood, put out a small stool and wait for 'patients' to gather 'round.
    
    I'd recommend hopping a flight to Taiwan, Korea, or if you have the $$ Japan to get that taken care of. Otherwise, paint the rest of your teeth black and try not to feel happy about anything.

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    blondepoetposted 15 years ago

    ROFL CW those pics are adorable.
    Oh Cindy I hope everything is ok.

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    \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

    Dont come to Ireland I paid 2.000 euro for work done, then in the small print of the insurance did not cover some of work.  Only  got 500 euro back...... still got a smile though

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    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Blonde, it was very sad, one of the little Grade 2 boys was killed. His sister was in the other Grade 4 class last yer, so I did have dealings with her.  The whole famiuly was in the car, dad was driving, car hit something and flipped and boy went flying out the car and died instantly.  Parents and sister are physically okay.  Jeezm, I feel so bad for them!

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    LondonGirlposted 15 years ago

    You poor love, sounds horribly painful as well!

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    Jerilee Weiposted 15 years ago

    I so feel for you on this.  Have you considered taking someone who speaks Chinese with you as an advocate and translator? 
    
    We've been researching dental work in India as they have dental med spas.  Here in the U.S. dentists charge outrageous fees, both my husband and self have quotes to "fix" our teeth that range in the $25,000 to $30,000 combined.  India supposedly has some of the best dentists at those facilities.
    
    What about HK?  Benson Yeung or my son probably know of a good dentist?  If you needed a place to stay while there I think my son might be able to help you there.  He at least speaks the language.

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    Teresa McGurkposted 15 years ago

    Wish I'd seen this thread earlier.  You poor thing -- but stay calm.  I've been there, done that (only in Japan).  It's easy to fix, even temporarily.  Good luck!

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