Hi,

I posted here on 7/6/06, to which helpful replies were written
regarding a broken wisdom tooth. I am now 3 weeks post part-removal of
tooth.

After about 5 days of agonising pain I realised I needed to take 3
Ibuprofen's a day and took Ibuprofen's up till 17/6 where the
suffering seemed to stop. In all it was about 10 days of hell.

The gum has completely regrown over the broken tooth so I don't have
to eat on the corner of one side anymore, HOWEVER...

when I brush my teeth I have to avoid brushing in the gum area where
the broken tooth is still located underneath. If I push my toothbrush
through normal brushing over the  gum area where the broken tooth is
located underneath,  then it's mildly painful. Same if any food gets
stuck in there and I'm munching.

I'm concerned the broken tooth is going to break through what feels
like a fragile piece of gum and push me back into agony.

I'm also concerned I'm learning to avoid brushing this area which
means the tooth next to it wont get brushed properly and will also
decay. At the moment I'm very carefully trying brush the tooth next to
gum area covering the broken tooth. But I don't think it's adequate.

Do I need to go back to the Dentist and tell him to refer me to the
hospital to remove the broken tooth under anesthetic? It certainly
would not be convenient to do now, I can't afford another week off
work for a few months at least.

Can I put off removing this broken tooth or should I get it sorted out
now so I can brush properly? If I asked for a referral now, it would
be some time (probably 2 months) , given that the NHS always has a
waiting list.