Molars are the workhorses of your mouth—the strongest, sturdiest teeth that handle most chewing. Day after day, they grind down your food, and that constant pressure is part of what makes them so strong. However, it also makes them vulnerable to damage. When a molar breaks, it’s a big deal, but your dentist can help. Keep reading to learn what typically causes molar damage and see how dental crowns can fix them.
Why Do Molars Break?
Molars can break for a number of reasons, but the most common one is biting down on something hard unexpectedly. A stray popcorn kernel, a thick piece of ice, or the pit in a piece of fruit are all likely culprits. Grinding or clenching, which wears down and weakens molar structure over time, can also cause significant damage. Sometimes decay and large fillings can also contribute to the weakness of a tooth—though decay much more so.
What Happens If You Leave It Alone?
A broken molar isn’t a “when I get to it” issue. Without the protection of your enamel, bacteria can more easily reach the inner layers of your tooth. Once it passes through the dentin and into the pulp, it can cause infection, an abscess, and significant pain.
Suddenly, what might have been a simple fix quickly becomes a root canal situation or, in more severe cases, an extraction. The sooner your broken molar is evaluated, the more options you have.
How Is a Broken Molar Treated?
Treatment depends on how much of the tooth is affected. Minor chips or cracks may be addressed with a filling or bonding, but more significant breaks typically call for a dental crown. These are customized restorations that can be placed over an entire tooth, restoring both its function and appearance.
If the break has reached the pulp, a root canal may be needed before the crown is placed. Finally, in cases where the tooth is too damaged to save, extraction followed by a replacement option like an implant or bridge is the most effective path forward.
If you’ve broken a molar, or any other tooth for that matter, don’t wait—call your dentist. A dental fracture is considered a dental emergency, and most practices will make room to see you as soon as possible. With a great emergency dentist in your corner, you’ll find relief quickly and get back to smiling.
About The Practice
At Lake Boone Dentistry, Dr. Ricke and Dr. Douglas have helped thousands of patients restore broken and damaged teeth with custom dental crowns and a full range of other restorative treatments. If you suspect a crack due to pain or visual damage, give us a call at (919) 781-8610, and we’ll get you taken care of.