Front tooth pain and possible extraction

[James2358]

About 18 months ago I was mugged coming out of a tube station and hit in the face. One of my front incisor teeth was pushed inwards. I went to casualty and they gently pushed it back. It has since more or less healed in its original place.

However, I continue to receive pain from that tooth. Not all the time, only when I chew down on something and even then it happens when my teeth are"returning" to the same spot, if that makes sense. I can push the tooth outwards with my thumb and its fine but when it starts moving back it hurts.

I went to a dentist after a few weeks and she said it might be an inflammation/infection in the area around the tooth socket and to give it a few more months. Then, a few months after that she did some X-rays & said it could be a ertical root fracture but she could not be sure as she could not detect it from the X-ray. She said if it was a root fracture a root canal would not be a suitable option as it probably would not cure the problem, but she did not wish to remove my tooth as it looked healthy.

I went to another dentist and he identified a hairline fracture of the front tooth itself, which he has filled in. But the pain has not gone. The tooth itself is not sensitive but the same problem with chewing remains. It means I cannot eat properly and am mainly stuck to a soft diet which I cannot use my front teeth on. He has offered a root canal but says he cannot be sure if it will work. I have had several root canals before and my experience is highly negative: they hurt like mad in the days after and anything between 6 months and 5 years later I had to have teeth those extracted anyway.

To be honest, feel very frustrated. I'd now like to have the tooth extracted. I understand all the reasons why one should not remove teeth but I'm at the end of my tether. I already wear partial uppers & lowers for my molars and pre-molars which I'm very comfortable with and would happily adjust to adding one extra tooth to it. Is it possible to do it with you? I just don't want to be put off any longer.

Thank you

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post.

The problem in this case is that it seems that a clear diagnosis has not been established yet and as such when we are unsure of the diagnosis we can not legally remove a tooth. You would need to see a root canal specialist to see if the front tooth has really got a cracked root and if they taking your wishes into consideration, find a root fracture and recommend a tooth extraction then we can proceed with that treatment for you. Until a clear diagnosis has not been established, the tooth can not be removed.