What should I do if a molar has broken off at the gum line? Read more to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options of a broken molar. Causes of a Broken Molar Factors contributing to a broken molar are: Weakness caused by filling Aging teeth Accidentally biting something hard Tooth decay caused by untreated cavities Chronic teeth grinding Recurrent cavities Sudden changes in the mouth temperature Facial trauma from sports injuries and accidents Symptoms of a Broken Molar A broken molar at your gum line will cause you to: Sense the missing or broken part of your tooth with your tongue.
See the broken tooth appearing pink or yellow. If the tooth appears dark brown or black, it may indicate tooth decay. Feel the sharp and jagged edge of the remaining fragment in your gum, which can cause inflammation. Bleed from broken blood vessels. Experience pain from exposed nerve roots or while consuming cold or sweet foods or beverages.
Complications of a Broken Molar If not treated, a broken molar can cause: Tooth decay due to the lack of enamel to cover blood vessels and nerves Abscess Nerve damage Infection, which may spread to your jaw bone Treatment for Broken Molar 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: Reattaching Bone Fragment Your dentist will use bonding agents to reattach the broken tooth if your tooth is not deeply broken. Extrusion 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.
Filling or Crown If the damage is minor, your dentist may use a filling to fix your broken molar or crown to cover it. Tooth Extraction or Replacement If your tooth cannot be restored, your dentist will extract it and replace it with a denture, endosteal implant, or dental bridge. How Long Is the Recovery? The damage may be visible to the naked eye or the tooth may simply feel different in your mouth.
There might be some blood or tooth fragments as well. Subtler and less traumatic molar breaks or an area that has become fractured can be harder to detect. You may feel pain when you bite down too hard on something, eat something super sugary or drink a super cold drink. In these cases, the pain itself may be indistinguishable from that of a cavity or another common tooth decay issue.
Over time, though, you may notice the pain becoming more frequent, or you may notice that your jaw feels weird when you bite down. This can be a sign that a part of your molar has chipped away or the fractured area has increased without your notice and it is something that can happen with the mostly invisible teeth at the back of our mouths. A small swollen area that looks like a pimple may show up on your gum near the cracked tooth and you may even be able to see visible pus at the gum.
These are all signs that something potentially serious is going on and you should seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. Does it really matter if you have a broken molar? Well, as mentioned above, our molars rank among our most important teeth.
But the potential problems get much worse than that. On the most basic level, pain is a major issue associated with a broken molar. The pain you experience from a broken tooth can be excruciating, especially if the break results in an exposed nerve. Pulp necrosis occurs when pulpitis progresses and the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth die. If you have pulp necrosis, your tooth loses its ability to sense hot and cold.
Consuming dark-colored foods and drinks can cause your teeth to stain, known as extrinsic stains. Stains that involve the deeper inside layers of the tooth are called intrinsic tooth stains. These stains occur when dark material penetrates the tooth. This often happens during tooth development. Some antibiotics , like tetracycline , may lead to intrinsic tooth staining in children. If you notice a black spot inside your tooth, you may be looking at an old dental filling.
Certain types of dental fillings, like mercury and silver amalgam, oxidize and turn black over time. A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency. The quicker you take action, the more likely you are to save your tooth. In fact, many dentists leave time open in their schedules to accommodate emergencies. The best treatment option for your black tooth depends on the cause. A dentist will be able to suggest the best way to treat your tooth after examining it.
They may be able to replace your tooth with a:. If your tooth nerve is too inflamed to heal, a dentist will need to perform a root canal. Your dentist will clean and remove the inflamed pulp from the middle of your tooth. A crown is a prosthetic cap that covers and protects your damaged tooth. Crowns are commonly made of ceramic, porcelain, or metal.
Having a black tooth can be a sign of a serious dental condition. Reasons why your tooth is black on the outside can include:. A dentist will be able to tell you the exact cause after an examination, and can recommend the best treatment option.
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