A broken molar is a dental emergency, as it has the potential to cause severe pain, small chips, and fractures. Therefore, visit your dentist immediately if a molar has broken off at or under your gum line.
Read more to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options of a broken molar.
Factors contributing to a broken molar are:
Tooth decay caused by untreated cavities
A broken molar at your gum line will cause you to:
If not treated, a broken molar can cause:
Many factors, including the depth of the break and how quickly you act, will help your dentist determine the available options for broken molars. These may include:
Your dentist will use bonding agents to reattach the broken tooth if your tooth is not deeply broken. They may combine this procedure with a root canal if the tooth pulp is exposed.
When your tooth’s inside is inflamed or infected, a root canal is performed to remove the pulp (containing nerves and blood vessels) from your tooth’s center and replace it with rubbery filling.
When a molar is broken below your gum line, you will be asked to wear aligners or braces on the fractured tooth for some weeks to pull it above your gum line.
If the damage is minor, your dentist may use a filling to fix your broken molar or crown to cover it. They may perform a crown lengthening procedure if not enough tooth is exposed to hold the crown.
If your tooth cannot be restored, your dentist will extract it and replace it with a denture, endosteal implant, or dental bridge.
Your recovery can take a few days to a few weeks depending on the procedure performed to fix your broken molar. Follow the after-care instructions recommended by your dentist including, avoiding sticky or crunchy foods, chewing with the broken tooth, and drinking using a straw.
Fractured teeth are vulnerable to decay and infection because they lack protective enamel, which covers the nerves and blood vessels inside. Untreated broken molars can cause infection, abscess, and nerve damage. Bacteria from this contamination can also infect your jaw bone, surrounding teeth, and gums.
If you need to fix your broken molar, schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in West Des Moines today!