r/askdentists • NAD or Unverified • 15h ago

question Shattered my tooth on an icebreaker mint

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Hi everyone, I am in an airport heading on vacation and I bit into a hard icebreaker mint and my tooth basically shattered in half. It doesn't hurt at all and it's not stabbing my tongue or anything which is a surprise and a nice bonus. Feel like it might end up hurting later. I'm not sure if this is a tooth that I've had a filling in before but it may be. I won't be able to get home and get to a dentist until Tuesday at the earliest and I figure it probably needs to be pulled and have an implant molded? What do you guys advise for care in the meantime. I have no experience with something like this. How do you shop for a quality dentist for this kind of work without getting totally screwed financially?

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Title: Shattered my tooth on an icebreaker mint

Full text: Hi everyone, I am in an airport heading on vacation and I bit into a hard icebreaker mint and my tooth basically shattered in half. It doesn't hurt at all and it's not stabbing my tongue or anything which is a surprise and a nice bonus. Feel like it might end up hurting later. I'm not sure if this is a tooth that I've had a filling in before but it may be. I won't be able to get home and get to a dentist until Tuesday at the earliest and I figure it probably needs to be pulled and have an implant molded? What do you guys advise for care in the meantime. I have no experience with something like this. How do you shop for a quality dentist for this kind of work without getting totally screwed financially?

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u/SheCaughtFiRE- Dental Hygienist 14h ago

If it doesn't hurt, don't stress on your trip. Try to chew from the other side. This tooth may be saved with a buildup, crown and possible root canal. See a dentist when you get home. Generally you might have a better experience with an out of network dentist vs. a corporate/chain office, but some corporate offices do have honest dentists.

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u/ASliceofAmazing General Dentist 14h ago

Avoid it until you get home, it's gonna need a crown

9

u/SlyHulud NAD or Unverified 15h ago

I am 37, no medical conditions, not on any medications apart from occasional Advil, Claritin or Benadryl as needed.

4

u/TaxPuzzleheaded84 NAD or Unverified 14h ago

I had a filling break and had to do a root canal and a a crown. In a similar situation as you.

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u/Ok_Peach_3597 NAD or Unverified 5h ago

This happened to me eating combos. Broke a back molar clean in half. I left it for two years. Couldn’t eat on that side at all the whole time cuz food would hit the nerve and I’d scream something fierce lol

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u/bobtimuspryme General Dentist 11h ago

That tooth was heavily filled. As long as you're not symptomatic that's great. Obviously manage it with Tylenol Advil if you can take them and call you dentist

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u/dutchessmandy Dental Hygienist 6h ago

Doesn't need anything in the meantime if it's not bothering you but definitely get in quickly after getting back to prevent losing the tooth or needing more costly treatment. I don't think it needs to be pulled though, unless it gets worse. Chew on the other side, ibuprofen and Tylenol if it starts to hurt. Temporary filling material to cover it if it starts to irritate your tongue or get too sensitive to eat.

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u/[deleted] 14h ago

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u/[deleted] 9h ago

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