Could this be the beginning of a third set of teeth?

Question

For more than two months, I had alot of pain under a tooth and had the dentist pull it out even though he couldn't find anything wrong with it. X-rays showed nothing wrong. He was ready to call an oral surgeon or declare it Neuralgia. Now, it's four days after extraction, and I can actually feel something hard and sharp with my tongue. I'm at work, and don't have access to a hand-held mirror until I get home. Could the cause of my two months of pain be a third tooth trying to pop through my gum? I've heard about some people getting a third set of teeth. I am 54! I just spent thousands of dollars on veneers covering some of my teeth. Would I have to remove everything to let my third set of teeth come through? Why didn't the x-rays catch them?!

Answer 1

PEOPLE NORMALLY HAVE 2 SETS F TEETH, THE PRIMARY (BABY TEETH) AND THE SECONDARY (PERMANENT) SET. THE SECONDARY SET INCLUDES TYE WISDOM TEETH THAT USUALLY ERUPT BETWEEN 17-22 YEARS OF AGE.
HAVING A RECENT EXTRACTION WHAT IS SOMETIMES FELT AS A SHARP CORNER OR EDGE IS A BONE FRAGMENT PROTRUDING THROUGH THE GUMS. IF THIS IS LOOSE IT MAY NEED TO BE QUICKLY REMOVED OR IT MAY REABSORB IF LEFT ALONE.
THOUGH GENETICALLY THERE IS AN ACTUAL 3rd SET OF TEETH IN HUMANS (FOUND THROUGH RESEARCH BY A RUSSIAN SCIENTIST) IT NEVER DEVELOPS.
THE SMALL SHARP FRAGMENT OF BONE CANNOT READILY BE SEEN BY TAKING AN X-RAY -- AND USUALLY WILL SELDOM SHOW ANY PROBLEM.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry if I were you hun.
There is no chance of there being a third set of teeth as this is physically not possible. Even if you had a third set , they would have shown up on the X-Rays for sure.

What you are feeling with your tongue is either a bit of retained root left behind after the extraction, and will work its way out on its own.
Or it could, and is most likely to be, the bone of the socket and this is quite common. The gum tissue will gradually heal over this.
If however you start to feel pain from the socket, then you need to go back to see your dentist.
Try not to worry though, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Oh by the way, the pain you had for two months was prob an absess, I see them all the time at work and it sounds like thats what you were suffering from.

Answer 3

I used to work for a dentist as a billing specialist, and even though we've heard of the 3rd set of teeth -- it's more than likely a bone fragment pushing its way to the surface. Sometimes when they remove a tooth, a piece or two may also break off and push its own way to the surface a few days later.

It would have shown on the x-ray a bud (the top of a tooth) if you had one. Also, teeth generally need more than a few days post-extraction to erupt.

Best bet would be to get a referral to an oral surgeon. Your MEDICAL insurance would cover this, and not the dental. Call your primary and ask for a referral to whomever your dentist would recommend.

Hope I helped.

Answer 4

Yes have seen them but very rare!1 An Xray will show what it is. See your DR DMD here