Large gap in back of tooth, what is it?

[Audpoet]

Back molar there is a ledge at very back of tooth that's pretty big. I can take my fingernail and poke inside of it and it's not bothered unless I mess with it. It feels like the tooth is hanging over the gum, and then a ledge. Never noticed it before or knew about it but I'm super paranoid and anxiety ridden since getting my first two root canals in the last few months (that I honestly think happened due to fillings). The tooth doesnt have anything to do with the root canals though. I have an appointment soon but I was told by an emergency dentist that the tooth looks fine on the xray and it's not from a cavity (wouldn't make sense either since it's literally back of tooth). No fillings have fallen out. It's only sensitive for a while after touching it.

If it is a tooth abfraction would a crown solve the issue? I wouldn't mind having the tooth pulled though just for peace of mind lol

 

[Dr M]

Do you perhaps have a photo of the tooth in question?

 

[Audpoet]

Do you perhaps have a photo of the tooth in question?

I do not mostly because you can't see the opening. It's the last Molar at back. I can only feel that there is an opening there. Normally the full tooth would be in the gums but with this it's like the tooth hangs over then at gumline is an opening. Fingernail hits solid when when it goes inside the opening.

 

[Dr M]

Almost sounds like you have a pocket formation in that area. Sometimes food gets stuck behind that molar and then it can lead to inflammation of the gums in that area or even gum loss if the inflammation is chronic.
But yes, difficult to say without a clinical examination. I would suggest go and have it checked out by your dentist.

 

[Audpoet]

Thank you. I'm interested to hear what they say. Don't think it's from a cavity so I think it's either an abfraction or what you had said. I really don't want to lose the tooth so I'm wondering if I should just get a crown on it. It's too big for a filling in my opinion and I don't want a root canal on a back molar.

Almost sounds like you have a pocket formation in that area. Sometimes food gets stuck behind that molar and then it can lead to inflammation of the gums in that area or even gum loss if the inflammation is chronic.
But yes, difficult to say without a clinical examination. I would suggest go and have it checked out by your dentist.

 

[Dr M]

The best option would be to see your dentist in person. It is not to say that you would need a crown or filling. If it is a gum issue only, then the gum just needs to be resected.

 

[Audpoet]

The best option would be to see your dentist in person. It is not to say that you would need a crown or filling. If it is a gum issue only, then the gum just needs to be resected.

I'm going tomorrow. Tooth seems uncomfortable lately and a bit painful. I have tried not to touch it etc. Guess we will find out. If it is infected then I guess loss of tooth. Won't know until I see what they say.

 

[Audpoet]

So they don't believe it's an opening of any sort and they did xrays and said it looks normal. Maybe I should request 3d? They said get permanent on other tooth and see if that helps though that root canaled tooth is on top and molar is bottom. My paranoid brain says it's a bad tooth and my anxiety is telling me it's not good. The dentist told me he 100 percent does not believe it's a tooth that will get infected. They also cleaned really well back there around gums and area because he said plaque buildup can do a number. Guess we will see. He said the tooth is structurally not like the other one but that no hole is present.

 

[Dr M]

Do you have x-rays that you could share?

 

[Audpoet]

I don't unfortunately but I do know they said the tooth looks 100 percent normal on the xray even though the tooth is different from other one. Was also told too by another dentist it looks normal on xray. I have reason to believe this is a competent dentist too from multiple people and reviews are high for them. Personally I think you were right and it's an abfraction possibly but it is sensitive once i started messing with it. I'll be back in a month if my tooth is still causing issues.