Farewell!
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
The troublesome tooth, which is not at all troublesome, but might be so at an unspecified time in the future, must be extracted, following the two thirds root canal process.
I have four choices following the extraction – leave it and live with the gap, have a partial denture, fit a bridge or have a dental implant. It is a molar so not particularly noticeable when I smile. If I were 30, I would probably opt for an implant, but I’m not, so I won’t. A bridge would compromise the tooth to which it would be attached. I don’t like things in my mouth that don’t belong there, like a denture, however snugly it might fit, so I choose to have a space where no space was before.
Of course, I would have a replacement of some sort if the troublesome tooth were one of the ‘shop front’ teeth. I don’t think I’m especially vain, though others might disagree, but a yawning gap would be hard to ignore and although I am literally tight-lipped, even I would find talking and smiling difficult without opening my mouth.
Dentistry has come a long way since the yank ‘em out days, which is good, of course. There are many choices to be made and great and growing expertise among our dental surgeons. People now do not generally have all their teeth extracted as a 21st birthday or wedding present, as was common in the early 20th century. That was considered preferable to potentially suffering a lifetime of pain from infections.
Until the 19th century, tooth extractions were performed by blacksmiths and barbers, but false teeth were made as far back as 2500 B.C. Then they were made from animal teeth, sometimes from wolves. Japan made wooden dentures in the 16th century and such plates were used up to the 20th century. The thought of wearing wood in my mouth makes me shudder. Naturally, my imagination has gone into overdrive and I’m viusalising rough bark and twigs, even leaves. Chewing would sound like the clattering of castanets or arpeggios on a xylophone.
From the 1780s, US President George Washington’s false teeth, of which he had at least four sets, were composed of human teeth, hippo and elephant ivory, gold and brass, and were held together with metal fasteners, bolts and rivets. Some of the human teeth were sourced from slaves.
Grave robbers could make a substantial living – some say the modern equivalent of £10,000 per night – by stealing teeth from corpses. These were then used to make dentures.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and is as hard as steel. It’s amazing that the human diet wears it away.
Did you know that our tooth and tongue prints are unique, just like our fingerprints? I didn’t, so I looked for more information about exclusivity. Iris and retina patterns are unique, and so is the shape and contour of ears. Earprints can be used for identification, though not as readily as fingerprints. Footprints are individual and are often used to identify infants. How sad that process must be, whatever the circumstances.
There may be some scientific logic behind the ancient art of palmistry – the furrows and creases on our palms are distinctive, but, again, fingerprints are easier to process.
Finally, the distribution of veins in hands and fingers is exclusive to each individual. When I gaze at the contour map on the back of my hands, it’s rather pleasing to know that no-one else has hands exactly like mine. Others might look and think, ‘Thank goodness for small mercies.’
I understand your dilemma with the absent tooth hole! Molars are important, not just cosmetically, and teethe are like dominoes, they all depend on one another. I would think a bridge would be the answer especially if the space is in-between two solid teeth. I married a dentist!
ReplyDeleteInteresting about "prints" and individualism - I would like to make a print of my ears, that would be cool! thanks for the information!
The gap will be above another gap. I'll soon have more gaps than teeth - I exaggerate, of course. Lucky you, having a dentist for a husband:-)
DeleteI am faced with the exact same choices myself at the moment! I have rejected the implant option as the cost would be about $8000 and at my age - not doing it. I am now awaiting the decision by my insurance co, as to how much they will cover on the other two options and then I will decide. May just decide to leave it alone as, like you, it isn't seen.
ReplyDeleteOh, the joys of growing older! Insurance never quite covers everything, does it?
DeleteI have never heard of grave robbers making money by stealing teeth from corpses and taking the gold. But it makes perfect sense. Holding up banks was way too dangerous for both the robbers and the victims, ditto holding up stage coaches and home burglaries. And the corpses didn't complain.
ReplyDeleteFaced with the same dilemma a couple of years ago, I opted for the gap, and have had no trouble since.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I had an extraction there was no choice but to leave the gap. It won't be a problem.
DeleteIf you can afford it, have an implant, it doesn't affect the teeth on either side, like a bridge would and you'd be able to proprly chew.
ReplyDeleteHaving a bridge means grinding away the teeth on either side as for a crown, which is then constructed with the false tooth in the middle before being glued to the remains of the other teeth. It's an invasive process with compromised stability. I'm at the point now where most of my teeth are false with only four molars left and a few front teeth in the lower jaw. After decades of treatments I was fed up with still having toothache at 70. Out they came!
You could become a dental consultant with all your experience :-)
DeleteTo share my experience - I had a lower molar extracted over ten years ago and opted to leave a gap. My American friends were horrified and warned about the adjacent teeth shifting if not supported, but so so far this has not happened and all has been fine.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
Gail.
Thank you, Gail. I have not had any problems with the gaps I already have - there was actually no choice!
DeleteGood luck. I think I would go for an implant, having had very positive experiences. Expensive though. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. I've already decided on the gap!
DeleteFascinating to read about the diverse ways in which we are all unique.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the molar extraction. I have a reluctance to undergo any dentistry treatment but fear that I shall soon have to have my cracked molar attended to.
Our dentists are really pleasant and attentive, explaining everything as they go. I'd still rather not have anyone fiddling around in my mouth, though, but needs must:-) Good luck with your molar :-)
DeleteOnce you have reached a few milestones, a gap in your teeth becomes normal, I've not had any issues.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI have two wisdom teeth that have given me grief over the years. I am contemplating to get them extracted under GA
ReplyDeleteThat's not nice. It's strange how some people never get their wisdom teeth - I haven't, yet two of my children did.
DeleteYes, I agree with you about the backs of my hands but we should be grateful we have two hands.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be rather cool to have wolf teeth. They sound like they'd be pointy and threatening.
Unlike in your country, dentistry is not part of our public health system beyond for the poorest in society. It can be partly covered by private health insurance. Disgraceful, in my opinion.
I do agree with keeping front teeth, real or fake. I am missing five molars.
This will make my fifth missing molar, too.
DeleteReading all the horrors about teeth, I am happy that I was born just in time where more softer methods were used, although my first dentist was a sadist (or that's what I thought) when he had to pull out a tooth when I was a child. Now I know people my age who spent a fortune in all kind of things, implants, (infections) partly bridges (troubles with the two teeth which held the bridge etc etc. I had not long to hesitate as I had inherited my father's disease the "periodontitis" when the gum disappears and the teeth fall out. The dentist tried to propose all kind of your solutions but I knew the end so I told him to pull out all my teeth which she did. She was and artist, she made me exactly the same teeth I had before, same color, same defaults and I wear that thing day and night since at least 20 years. It still fits and nobody knows ! Never ever I had to go to the dentist again. I was not a good investment !
ReplyDeleteMy middle daughter has gum disease, too, and all sorts of problems with her teeth, but she's got a very good dentist who is doing good work.
ReplyDeleteWishing you an easy time in the chair. I did have a molar implant done 15 years ago. But like you, today I would probably not. It went well and cost a lot lot!
ReplyDeleteOur dental practice is run by a husband and wife team. I normally see Vishal, but his wife, Neena, 'does' the extractions.
DeleteI think of my hands more as tools than things of beauty. I look at them an am glad for all the things they can do!
ReplyDeleteLiving without hands is a real challenge but prosthetics are now so much more sophisticated.
DeleteInteresting how much of us is unique (well I suppose every part is if you go down to the DNA level) - good luck with the tooth extraction and I hope it heals quickly, without drama, and that your tongue quickly adjusts to the hole where there used to be a tooth.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm now post-extraction and beginning to get feeling back :-)
DeleteAlmost too many choices these days following an extraction ..... I agree , unless a front toothed involved implants are not something I would opt for, such a palaver and hellishly expensive. I remember my Mum having one false tooth on a piece of wire - I'm pretty sure she rarely bothered to use it, it sat in a little pot of steradent by her bathroom sink looking a little sinister!
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I smiled at the thought of a solitary sinister tooth, lurking in its little pot.
Delete👍😄 X
DeleteAlison x
I would also get a front tooth replaced. Maybe I'm vain too. My third son had a bad molar. He had two root canals and was waiting for a crown when it became abscessed again. He said the heck with it, had it pulled, and opted for the gap. He's young enough, he could've gotten it as a wedding present...though he's not yet married. Poor guy, he always took the best care of his teeth too and still had trouble.
ReplyDeleteSome people are just unlucky, it seems.
DeleteI had one of my back teeth extracted and don't even notice any more. Anywhere else, I'd probably have it replaced. Hope all goes well!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's all done now, so that's that!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'd ever opt for an implant as the time in the chair is so long and my jaw gets so sore from my mouth being open for extended periods of time. Like you, I'd do it for a tooth that "shows", but at this point in life I doubt I'd replace a molar. Might soon have to make those decisions if my poor old teeth with their compromised enamel give up the fight entirely! Good luck with the healing of your extraction site.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just a case of 'one out, one in' which I rather naively thought, but a series of appointments - at least five - and it all takes rather a long time. Like you, I find it uncomfortable to have my mouth wide open for any length of time.
DeleteA few years back I too was faced with that same decision. I opted for the gap, and pleased to say I've had no problems since.
ReplyDeleteReading your last three paragraphs, it just goes to show how unique we each are :)
All the best Jan
We should applaud our individuality, just as we do that of our children and grandchildren.
DeleteI have had a similar experience to your "troublesome tooth" Janice. Mine had already had root canals, etc etc done on it before deciding it needed to come out. It was a bridge but unfortunately was in my smile line - I guess I smile widely !! I chose to have a partial denture but I had to wait a couple of months for the gums to settle down after extraction, which was messy. I noticed I covered my mouth with my hand during this time, whenever laughing or smiling, before my partial denture arrived. It is perfectly made & you would not notice I am wearing one at all. I hope yours all works out okay.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad yours worked out so well, Julie. Dentistry is so much more sophisticated now.
DeleteI have a bridge in one spot and a gap in another. I don't mind either one though I did have trouble with the bridge at first. Now it just feels like normal teeth. I think if I was younger I'd go for the implants.
ReplyDeleteIt's the tongue that has to get used to new arrangements in the mouth :-)
DeleteNot my favourite subject, but an interesting read none the less! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's not something I want to revisit very soon.
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