In January, a corner of my bottom right wisdom tooth broke. It eventually fell off, and gradually, little bits of the tooth are falling off. About two months ago, the wisdom tooth started to hurt, and I knew it was trouble. The pain was so bad that I made an emergency appointment with a nearby dentist. She gave me an injection to numb the pain and said that I need an x-ray and probably need a referral to an oral surgeon to remove all my wisdom teeth. I’m nervous about my wisdom teeth now, but I cannot afford oral surgery. Not much is left of the tooth, and it looks like the pulp is dissolving. I don’t have dental insurance. I will start a new job in January, and I hope to make it until then. But the job doesn’t offer dental insurance. Will the broken wisdom tooth eventually fall out? Konnor from Albany, GA

 

Konnor,

A decayed and broken wisdom tooth will continue to decay and fall out. But you’re at risk of a tooth infection that can spread to your jawbone and create a pus-filled abscess. The dentist you saw for the emergency appointment was right. It’s best for an oral surgeon or a dentist skilled in extractions to remove the tooth.

We are not sure what you mean about the tooth pulp dissolving. But if the pulp was exposed and infected, it’s dead. And if the pulp is dead, the tissue and nerves inside it are dead too, and you should not feel any sensitivity or pain in your tooth.

No Insurance and a Broken Wisdom Tooth?

If you don’t have dental insurance and your wisdom tooth is badly broken, your next step depends on whether you feel any pain or sensitivity. Keep in mind that these suggestions apply to wisdom teeth only. They do not apply to other teeth, including first or second molars.

• Pain, sensitivity, or swelling – When you feel pain or sensitivity in a tooth or see swelling, it is a dental emergency that you need to take care of right away. A lingering infection will get worse, spread into your jawbone, affect other teeth, and eventually get into your bloodstream. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, you can find a dentist or oral surgeon who offers payment plans. Your oral health isn’t worth the delay.
• No pain, sensitivity, or swelling – Eventually, your tooth will decay on its own and fall out. But if you can see a dentist for extraction before it falls out, please do so. If you begin to feel pain or have swelling, see a dentist right away. Don’t mask the problem with over-the-counter pain relievers. And please don’t let anxiety keep you from getting the tooth removed. Most dentists offer some form of sedation to help you relax.

Another option

The ideal solution is for you to get the tooth removed. If you live in an area where there is a dental clinic or a dental school, they might be willing to remove your tooth at a reduced rate or no cost at all. You can call a few local family dentists’ offices to ask if they know about a clinic in your area.

 

Best wishes.

Ryan Perry, DDS, a family dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.