Treatment | Molar broken off

Treatment

Treatment may vary depending on the degree of fracture. If only a simple fracture exists and the enamel is affected, a filling is often sufficient to preserve the tooth. Sometimes it is even possible to reattach the broken piece.

However, for this purpose the fragment must be picked up immediately after the accident and stored in a tooth rescue box or in alcohol. Afterwards, the dentist should be consulted within the next few hours. However, if the nerve is exposed due to a large loss of hard tooth substance, root canal treatment is necessary.

Otherwise, the bacteria that have penetrated the canal and are present in the mouth at all times can lead to an inflammation of the teeth. An abscess with pus formation would then be the result. A crowning is advisable if a root canal treatment has been carried out and if a very large part of the tooth has broken off. The stability of the natural substance is so limited at this time that there is no other possibility of preservation.

When does the tooth have to be extracted?

Only a dentist can determine whether the broken tooth needs to be extracted after clinical and radiographic examination of the affected tooth. A deeply fractured tooth down to the root area is often a reason for extraction, as it can lead to inflammation of the root surface. Furthermore, a broken tooth must be extracted in the presence of deep caries, which can no longer be treated with a filling. If the broken tooth also shows a strong degree of loosening (movable on tongue pressure) and can no longer be held by a splint, this can also be a reason for an extraction. If the broken tooth has already been treated for root canal disease and is severely inflamed, this can also be a reason for extraction.

When do I need a crown?

A crown is always necessary when the broken molar has lost too much of its stability. Only the socket around the tooth can then protect it from extraction, a drawing. This is the case, for example, when a root canal treatment has to be carried out on the molar.

Since the supply of nutrients is then cut off, the tooth can become brittle and an artificial crown may be necessary. A special case here is when the crown of the tooth has broken off completely and only the root of the tooth is visible. A filling can no longer align anything and a crown with an additional root post is absolutely necessary.

Even if the cheek tooth is broken quite deeply, i.e. below the gumline, a crown is still needed. Filling therapy is no longer possible here either. The problem is that the exposed fracture site cannot be kept 100% dry. However, this would be absolutely necessary for the filling therapy, because only then the filling material becomes firm. The cement with which the crown is fixed to the tooth stump hardens, but it also hardens when liquid is added.