Broken molar with no pain, what to do? How do I know if a tooth root is broken? What are the possible solutions for a broken molar? And finally, what can we do until we go to the dentist?
I. Why Does a Molar Break?
A molar can break for several reasons.
Among the most common ones, you have trauma that was caused by a blow on the teeth during combat sports or a fall.
You can also get a broken tooth from eating a portion of hard food such as a raw carrot.
It can also happen that your molar is weakened by a recent dental procedure or that you have a cavity that has been badly or not at all treated.
Also, poor dental hygiene contributes greatly to the fragility of the teeth and therefore, they can break easily.
Age is also a factor that favors tooth breakage. Indeed, the older you get, the more fragile your teeth become. And thus likely to break.
II. Molar Broken with No Pain on the Side
Your molar may break on the side. The tooth can be broken while eating hard food or if you use this tooth to open a bottle of soda.
Here, there are two possibilities. Either the tooth is just cracked, or a fragment comes off and you will have a broken tooth that cuts the tongue, which is not pleasant.
In both cases, it is important to go to the dentist as soon as possible for a consultation so that he or she can offer you the appropriate solution to your problem.
It is important to note that even if the tooth seems damaged on the top, there can be hidden lesions on the dental pulp and even on the roots.
For this reason, we recommend a visit to the dentist to determine the extent of the damage.
III. Molar Broken in Two
Several factors can cause your molar to break in two.
This tooth may be weakened by bad dental hygiene and then, by crunching a hard food or by receiving a shock that the molar breaks in two.
Just like a broken tooth on the side, you will have a broken tooth that cuts your tongue.
For this type of problem, it is wise, if not imperative, to go to the dentist because the root can be affected and the gum can be affected as well.
Once at the dentist’s, he will examine the tooth. If it is just broken on top, he may decide to glue the broken piece of the tooth back together or replace it with resin.
But if the roots are affected, he will extract the tooth and propose prosthetic solutions.
IV. How Do I Know if a Tooth Root Is Broken?
The answer is simple. If the fracture of your tooth is close to the pulp or gum, you will feel a sharp pain.
If the pulp itself is exposed to the air, you will notice that there is a small red spot right in the middle of the tooth. And if you are in pain, don’t hesitate to go to the dentist.
It can also happen that the tooth is broken at the gum line.
To make a reliable diagnosis, he will take an X-ray. This will allow him to see if the root has indeed suffered a fracture and if the pulp area has been affected or not.
V. Possible solutions for Broken Molar with No Pain
1) The Dental Crown on Implant
If the molar needs to be replaced, we turn to the dental crown on the implant. This is a treatment that is functionally and aesthetically as close as possible to natural teeth.
This solution has many advantages for the patient: the adjacent teeth remain intact, and it prevents bone loss and gum recession.
It is also a fixed and permanent solution that has an excellent lifespan and at the same time ensures maximum masticatory function.
2) The Fixed Bridge
The fixed bridge is a non-removable prosthesis to replace a missing tooth. It is a false tooth made of ceramic or porcelain.
A fixed bridge has several advantages. It promotes good chewing and stabilizes the bite. It also reduces the risk of infections and periodontal and oral diseases.
In addition, it prevents tooth wear, improves speech, and enhances comfort.
3) Removable Prosthesis
A removable prosthesis allows replacing both the gum and the missing teeth. Even if the tooth is broken at the gum line. In this case, the root is removed before the treatment.
This is a solution that is not very popular with patients because they find it cumbersome and removable. However, it has the advantage of being quick and economical.
Depending on the condition of the teeth and gums, the dentist has two possibilities. If there are no more teeth, he will make you put on a complete prosthesis.
If there are still teeth, he will suggest a partial denture.
4) The Reattachment of the Fragments
Fragment reattachment is a procedure that is both simple and aesthetically pleasing, which ensures better preservation of the physical and chemical characteristics of the tooth.
This treatment restores the natural color of the tooth, the occlusal alignment, and the shape of the tooth. In effect, the dentist uses the fragment of your tooth to repair it. It is recommended especially for a broken tooth without pain.
5) The Placement of an Implant
A dental implant can be proposed for people who have extracted teeth.
This solution allows the patient to regain his or her ability to chew and prevents the adjacent teeth from becoming overgrown.
For this type of treatment, it is advisable to visit an oral surgeon or a dental surgeon.
6) The Use of CEREC Technology
This is one of the latest innovations in the treatment of broken teeth. It is a computer-assisted process that allows us to design and fabricate a ceramic restoration of your teeth.
This process has several advantages. The material used strengthens the remaining walls of the teeth and perfectly mimics the natural enamel of the tooth.
In addition, it is quick to design and install. The dentist does not need to create an impression while waiting for the finished product to be completed in the laboratory.
In addition, it only takes one visit to have the new “tooth” placed. The biggest advantage is that the material is durable, and can remain for up to 20 years.
VI-What can you do while waiting to go to the dentist
If you notice that your tooth is broken without pain, the first thing to do is to recover the piece of a broken tooth.
You can keep this piece in a glass of milk or a freezer bag.
Then, make an appointment as soon as possible, within 24 hours, with a dentist for a consultation. This is because there may be hidden damage to the tooth pulp or root.
Useful Links:
Cracked tooth diagnosis and treatment: An alternative paradigm
The clinical findings and managements in 44 cases of cracked vital molars