I have a broken molar and It is pointed and poking the insides of my cheek. What treatment do you recommend and how much would it cost?

Doctor's Answers 2

Hi there!

To answer your question fully, it would require a clinical examination and a probably a dental x-ray.

Small broken portion

If the broken portion is small, we can either smooth the sharp edge or replace the missing portion with a filling.

Large broken portion

If the broken portion is very large, a root canal treatment or sometimes even extraction of the tooth may be indicated.

I would suggest a visit to a dentist at your earliest convenience so that we can have a look for you and suggest the relevant treatment options for yourself! Hope this helps a little bit!

How to Treat Broken Teeth

Broken teeth can be treated in a number of ways.

Extraction

This is usually done when the tooth is severely damaged or if keeping the tooth is too costly or unpredictable.

Crowning The Tooth

Crowning the tooth can be done if the fracture is not so severe but the tooth is too damaged to just receive a filling. Crowns can prevent a tooth from breaking further.

The appropriate material is chosen based on the location of the tooth, risk factors (bruxism), and the patient's budget.

Filling The Tooth

Teeth filling is normally done as an interim measure prior to a crown. Large fillings tend to wear out prematurely causing the bite to collapse. Teeth that have very large fillings are also prone to fracturing.

If the fracture extends to the pulp of the tooth, then root canal treatment is required before a crown is made. Your dentist will be able to advise you if this is necessary.

Similar Questions

Why do different dentists disagree on whether I should have a root canal treatment or an extraction and dental implant?

Dentists choose treatment plans based on many different factors. Some of these factors have nothing to do with clinical data. As a patient, your dentist should go through the different treatment options with you so that you understand the treatment itself, and the long term maintenance required with that selection. Keeping the tooth by performing root canal treatment and a crown may mean that the tooth may still crack further and require extraction at a later date.

Photo of Dr Jaclyn Toh

Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

Should I be concerned about a rotated bottom molar (I do not have braces on)? (Photo)

Rotated or misaligned teeth may make it difficult to clean. There is a chance that the rotation may worsen over time. However, once the tooth hits the limits of the bony envelope (the maximum thickness of the jawbone), then the movement stops. Teeth tend to shift as they drift towards the midline of our jaws. This happens as an adaptation to tooth wear. This is why crowding can start to appear later on in life, even if you started out with straight teeth or had orthodontic treatment. Some patients are able to maintain misaligned teeth pretty well, while others struggle.

Photo of Dr Jaclyn Toh

Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

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