Repairing Guides

how to repair a cracked molar

by Mrs. Claudie Nolan Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Most chipped teeth can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece of tooth enamel or by bonding a tooth-colored filling or crown in place. See your dentist as soon as possible after the injury to treat your chipped tooth and keep it from worsening. How will my cracked tooth be treated? There are many different types of cracked teeth.

Your dentist may recommend a crown, root canal, or tooth extraction. If your dentist thinks a crown is best, a filling material can repair the crack. If the inside of your tooth is damaged, your dentist may suggest a root canal to remove the damaged tissue. The root canal will be recommended if there's an infection.

Full Answer

What to do if your molar tooth breaks?

“If you do want to whiten your teeth and you have sensitive teeth, you should use a sensitive paste in the morning and a whitening toothpaste in the evening. So that you’re not doing both at the same time. And that’s where you really get the benefits of targeted treatments.”

What happens if I leave a broken tooth untreated?

  • A broken tooth can build pressure that causes sensitivity
  • There are chances where you can cut your tongue
  • Severe temperature sensitivity
  • Severe pain

How much does it cost to fix a crack?

The cost of repairing a stress crack is the same as the cost of repairing other types of cracks. Usually you will be looking at about sixty dollars for the first one, and ten to fifteen dollars for any additional cracks.

What happens if half of your tooth breaks off?

  • Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water to help reduce the chance of infection.
  • If you’re in a moderate amount of pain, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
  • If you’re bleeding, try applying pressure to the wound with a bit of gauze for about ten minutes. ...
  • Apply a cold pack to the cheek, gums, or other areas to help reduce swelling.

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Can a crack in a molar be fixed?

If the crack has extended into the pulp, the tooth can be treated with a root canal procedure and a crown to protect the crack from spreading. However, if the crack extends below the gum line, it is no longer treatable, and the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted.

How serious is a cracked molar?

Is A Cracked Molar an Emergency? Although cracked molars may not feel like an emergency if you're not in pain, they require urgent treatment. Any cracked tooth has the potential to become an emergency at a moment's notice.

How do you repair a hairline crack in a molar?

These are a few methods used to repair fractures:Bonding – The crack is filled in with resin.Crown – A ceramic or porcelain prosthetic is put over the damaged tooth and acts as a cap.Root Canal – If the crack is deep and extends to the pulp, a root canal will remove the pulp and eliminate the pain.More items...•

What can a dentist do for a cracked molar?

Treatment will be based on the severity of the crack. Your dentist may recommend a crown, root canal, or tooth extraction. If your dentist thinks a crown is best, a filling material can repair the crack. If the inside of your tooth is damaged, your dentist may suggest a root canal to remove the damaged tissue.

Can you live with a cracked molar?

Sure, you can probably live with a cracked tooth. There may be minimal pain and it might not even show when you smile-but there are many dangers to living with a fractured tooth that could affect your oral health for years to come. A tooth can crack/fracture when there is a weak spot or trauma to the tooth.

Can you save a tooth that cracked in half?

If a tiny piece of enamel or filling has chipped off, you may only need a new filling or some bonding material to restore the chipped portion. If only a small piece of your tooth broke off, your dental professional might be able to protect the remainder of the tooth with a crown or filling.

Does a cracked tooth need a root canal?

The most common cause of front-tooth fracture is trauma or physical injury. For fractures where the tooth pulp is not affected, a root canal will not be necessary, except if patients show signs of pulpitis (pulp infection). If the pulp gets exposed due to breakage, a root canal will certainly be necessary.

Does a cracked tooth need a crown?

If a tooth is cracked, it is a serious condition and does usually require a crown. Unlike a broken bone, the fracture in a cracked tooth will not heal. Vertical cracks that travel to the gumline may require a full-coverage crown.

Is a cracked molar an emergency?

A broken tooth often warrants a visit to an emergency dental office. In fact, tooth fractures are one of the most common dental emergencies.

Can a broken molar be saved?

Thankfully, most of the time, a cracked tooth can be saved. It is vital that you contact your dentist immediately if you think your tooth might be broken, as early detection and quick treatment are very important.

Does a cracked molar have to be pulled?

Whilst your general oral health may be positive, if the crack in the tooth is major, meaning it's cracked into two pieces, the tooth is severely decayed you're suffering from gum disease, the dentist will need to consider tooth extraction treatment.

Does a broken molar always need a crown?

To Repair A Cracked, Chipped Or Broken Tooth While minor chips can sometimes be repaired with cosmetic treatments like veneers or dental bonding, major tooth damage almost always requires a dental crown. Your crown will cover up and strengthen the tooth, allowing you to eat, speak and smile again.

How do you know if your molar is cracked?

Symptoms of a Cracked Molar. The most common symptoms of a cracked molar include pain when eating or exposure to high or low-temperature foods. There are other signs your tooth may be cracked that include: Food getting caught when eating. Chronic toothache.

What to do if a tooth is cracked below the gum line?

If a tooth is cracked below the gum line or has a vertical root fracture, specific endodontic surgical procedures can help save the tooth, and a root canal and dental crown will be needed. If the fracture is so large the tooth is non-restorable, then an extraction may be necessary. A tooth can then be replaced with a dental bridge or dental implant.

What causes a tooth to break?

Numerous reasons can cause a tooth to break. Common causes include: 1 Biting down into a hard food 2 Large fillings that break down 3 Untreated tooth decay 4 Clenching and grinding while sleeping or due to stress 5 Brittle teeth following a root canal or large filling that needs a dental crown

What is the best treatment for a fractured tooth?

Root canal therapy — sometimes, a tooth fracture is deep enough that requires a root canal to help save your tooth. A dental crown will be necessary to help cover and protect your tooth.

Why do you need a crown for a tooth?

A dental crown will cover the entire tooth to give it more protection from biting and chewing forces. Root canal therapy — sometimes, a tooth fracture is deep enough that requires a root canal to help save your tooth. A dental crown will be necessary to help cover and protect your tooth.

What to do if you can't see your dentist?

If you cannot see your dentist immediately, the best remedies to keep your teeth safe temporarily are to avoid hard and crunchy foods and rinse with a warm salt rinse as an antibacterial precaution. You can take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if needed for pain relief.

What happens when a tooth goes missing?

When the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth that protect the pulp, or nerve, of the tooth go missing, it can cause increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and spicy or sweet foods.

What Does Cracked Molar Mean?

Your molars are especially susceptible to cracks since they take in most of the force during chewing. There might or might not be noticeable symptoms, but make a dental visit immediately anyway. Your dental professional can look at the molar and determine how small or major the crack is. A small fracture may just be a cosmetic problem, however serious fractures do need treatment.

How to tell if a broken tooth is broken?

There may be little or no pain related to a broken tooth. You might only notice pain when eating or when the molar is exposed to hot or cold liquids. Pay attention to where precisely any pain is originating from so you can tell your dentist. Attempt to prevent chewing on the side of your mouth that has the split molar. Biting can open the crack and irritate the soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves and capillary.

Can a cracked molar be repaired?

So, can a cracked molar tooth be repaired? Yes. When a crack cuts through more than the enamel, then treatment is needed to prevent problems like an infection or a much deeper fracture. Depending upon how severe a fracture is, your dental professional may suggest a crown, a root canal, or removal of the tooth. In many cases filling material can be used to repair the fracture on you molar and a crown can stop it from becoming worse. If the soft tissue inside your tooth has been affected, then your doctor may suggest a root canal to get rid of damaged tissue. According the American Dental Association, while a root canal is a more extreme treatment than a crown, it can help to conserve your tooth when it comes to a fracture that has actually affected the entire tooth. A last choice is to have actually the molar eliminated. This is done when the tooth can not be conserved due to the fact that the root of the tooth has actually been harmed.

Can a crack in a molar tooth be treated?

If the fracture is minor and has just impacted the solidified external layer of your tooth, called the enamel, then your dental professional might not suggest any treatment. Inning accordance with the American Association of Endodontists, these small fractures are fairly typical with adult teeth.

Can grinding teeth cause fractures?

Mishaps, really tough foods, and even teeth grinding can result in fractures or fractures. See your dentist right now to discover what can be provided for your tooth.

Is root canal better than crown?

According the American Dental Association, while a root canal is a more extreme treatment than a crown, it can help to conserve your tooth when it comes to a fracture that has actually affected the entire tooth. A last choice is to have actually the molar eliminated.

Can a small crack in a tooth be cosmetic?

Your dental professional can look at the molar and determine how small or major the crack is. A small fracture may just be a cosmetic problem, however serious fractures do need treatment. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depends upon the type, location and extent of the fracture.

How does a dentist fix a broken molar?

Your dentist will extract the tooth themselves while using a local anesthetic or another form of sedation dentistry dependent on your specific needs. It’s pretty straightforward, to say the least.

What does it mean when a molar is broken?

A broken molar where no pain is being felt . A broken molar with an exposed nerve. A molar tooth has broken in half. A cracked molar tooth that looks like a hairline fracture. A molar tooth that became chipped for no reason. A molar tooth that broke itself off at the gumline. The molar tooth chipped itself while chewing.

Why did my molar break?

Our everyday lives put us at risk of damaging our molar teeth, whether it’s clear to see or it’s something that you have to think about first before you realize the scope of the situation. Since they’re in the very back of one’s mouth, they are also used for chewing things other teeth might not be able to handle.

How much does a tooth extraction cost?

A simple extraction can run $125-$250 per tooth, but a surgical extraction can run anywhere from $175-$600 per tooth using general anesthesia. For those who decide to go with a root canal, they can expect to pay around $1,000 give or take. While a dental crown for molar restoration runs $800-$1,500+ per crown that’s needed.

What does it mean when your molars chip?

A molar tooth that broke itself off at the gumline. The molar tooth chipped itself while chewing. No matter how minimal your tooth damage may be, always reach out to your local dentist of choice to ensure that you don’t put yourself at risk of making it worse over time.

What happens if you don't treat cavities?

Failure to treat cavities could weaken your molar (s) which means it will break easier.

What happens if you bite into hard candy?

Biting into hard candy can cause your molar to either break or chip.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix A Cracked Molar?

The cost of repairing a cracked molar will vary, depending on which restoration is necessary. The average price of a crown in Ottawa is approximately $1400, depending on what material it’s made from. If the tooth requires endodontic therapy, there could be additional costs of $1000-2000 or more, depending on how many roots the tooth has. But if you wait and the tooth has to be extracted and then replaced with an implant, the costs can easily triple.

Why Does A Molar Crack?

Perhaps your tooth is heavily restored with large, older fillings. As they begin to age and pull away from the tooth, you might simply bite down on something the wrong way and cause a portion of your tooth to crack off.

How Serious Is A Cracked Molar?

Cracked teeth can quickly worsen over a matter of days to weeks, depending on the depth of the crack. Treating it early keeps needs to a minimum. But if you wait days or weeks, a seemingly routine treatment could turn into something more complex.

Does A Cracked Molar Hurt?

In most cases, a cracked tooth hurts when you’re releasing biting pressure off of it. So even if it doesn’t hurt when you bite down (it may for some people) you will feel the pain when the tension is released.

What Happens If A Cracked Tooth Goes Untreated?

Any time you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, it’s like a ticking time bomb. Even if nothing seems to be happening, it’s going to. Untreated cracked teeth will gradually crack even further, ultimately until they reach a point where restoration is impossible.

What is the molar that grinds down food?

You depend on healthy molars (the very back teeth) for grinding down food and proper digestion. From breaking down nutrients for absorption to savouring your favourite steak, your molars bear the brunt of some of the heaviest biting forces in your mouth. It’s estimated that molars have to withstand as much as 171 pounds per square inch (PSI) when your jaws are clenched together. So if you have a cracked molar, it likely won’t be long before you realize there’s a problem.

What to do if a tooth cracks?

If for any reason the crack extends far enough into the tooth that the nerve tissues are compromised, endodontic therapy will be required. Performing a gentle root canal — followed by a crown — will help you avoid removing the tooth entirely.

Why does my tooth crack?

A fractured or cracked tooth occurs due to age, tooth grinding, trauma and other factors. You might not have any symptoms of a fractured tooth. Or you might notice pain, sensitivity and swelling. Your dentist has several methods to treat a fracture, depending on the crack’s location and severity.

How long does it take to fix a broken tooth?

Repairing your broken tooth may take weeks or months depending on your treatment. Your dentist will give you a better idea of how long your specific repair might take. For instance:

What is a cracked tooth called?

A fractured tooth, often called a cracked tooth or cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), is when a crack appears in your tooth. The crack can sometimes be small and harmless. Other times, it can cause your tooth to break or split.

What is a crack in a tooth?

Cracked tooth: A vertical crack runs from the biting surface of your tooth up to your gum line. Sometimes the crack extends into your gum line and root.

How long do cracked teeth last?

With prompt treatment, repaired teeth can last for years and not cause any other issues. But even with treatment, tooth cracks may sometimes continue to get bigger or split. This can result in tooth loss at some point.

Where do fractures occur?

Fractures occur most often on the upper front teeth and the teeth toward the back of your lower jaw (mandibular molars). Though people commonly fracture one tooth, more severe injury or trauma may fracture multiple teeth. People with dental cavities have a higher risk of fracture, even with less severe trauma.

What is the term for the complete removal of a tooth?

Extraction: Complete removal of your tooth. Used when the root and nerves of your tooth show severe damage.

How to heal a broken tooth?

After suffering a broken tooth, here are the steps patients can take to reduce additional damage before going to the dentist: 1 Rinse the mouth with warm water or saltwater 2 Apply pressure to stop the bleeding 3 Use an ice pack to help reduce any swelling 4 Take acetaminophen for pain relief (do not take aspirin, which could increase the bleeding) 5 Avoid chewing on the affected side of the mouth 6 Avoid hard foods like hard candy 7 Use dental wax over the broken tooth’s chewing surface to protect the gums

How much does it cost to fix a broken tooth?

Cost to Fix Broken Tooth. Depending on the break's severity, the cost to fix a broken tooth varies from $300 up to $2,000 without insurance. In some cases, fixing a broken tooth can cost up to $10,000 without insurance, especially when extensive work, including extraction, an implant, and a crown, is needed.

When is a Cracked Tooth Not an Emergency?

If the only damage is on the surface of the tooth, it may not be an emergency.

What is a dental bond?

Dental Bonding or Filling. For situations where only a small piece of enamel has chipped off, a dentist can repair the damage with a dental filling. Dental fillings can be made of a white composite resin or silver amalgam (mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper).

What to do if your tooth falls out?

If your tooth falls out, use gauze to grab it by the crown. If possible, place the tooth back into the socket. If this isn't possible, place the tooth in water, milk, or saline solution. Make an emergency appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Try to arrive within 30 minutes.

What happens if a tooth is cracked?

1. Broken Tooth Extraction and Dental Implant. If the tooth’s crack extends below the gum line, the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted (removed). Extraction is usually the only option when the crack is vertical, below the gum line, involves the roots, and when pieces are mobile. After the tooth is extracted, a dental implant is ...

What is the best way to replace a tooth that is missing?

Fillings close the hole and restore the function of the tooth. If a tooth is missing a large portion, a dental inlay can replace the missing part of the tooth. This restoration is often stronger and more durable than a dental filling.

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