Your teeth are sturdy structures of the oral cavity that can easily bear daily wear and tear. However, even though they are one of the strongest organs may break off due to sudden impact. In this blog, we have discussed the cause and what to do when your molar or any other tooth is broken in half.
Half Broken Molar Tooth – Causes
There are multiple reasons why your molar tooth can be half broken few of which are:
- Traumatic encounter
- Extreme, sudden hard biting into things like candy or ice.
- Ripping off clothes with your mouth.
- A blow on the face.
- A cavity that leads to half cracked molar tooth.
- Excessive grinding or clenching can result in a broken molar.
- Dental fillings
Aftercare of Half Broken Molar Tooth
It does not matter if your half broken molar is in pain or not; set an appointment with the dentist immediately. Until that time, here are some self-care tips:
- You should make a saltwater gargle and start rinsing your mouth to reduce the risk of infection in the broken molar tooth.
- It is best to have OTC painkillers at your disposal, such as acetaminophen, for pain relief.
- You can also cover the sharp edges of your half broken molar tooth with sugarless gum or even wax material. It will form a barrier to protect your cheek and tongue from cuts.
- Steer clear of eating hard-to-chew food items, and make sure to use the other side of the mouth.
- In case swelling or redness increases, put a cold compress on.
Treatments Available
You cannot fix a cracked tooth naturally. Therefore, you must go to the dentist; they have the authority to choose the right treatment for your half-broken molar tooth, depending on the severity of the damage.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is best suited for the tooth which has minimal damage. The broken tooth is easily repairable via composite resin if it is a small chip.
The dentist will first turn the surface a bit rough with a gel or liquid to ensure the bonding material sticks to it properly. Now, the adhesive material is put on it, following the tooth-colored resin.
At the end of this, your teeth come out looking natural after shaping. Finally, the tooth is hardened using ultraviolet – UV rays.
Dental Crown
If either half or more than 2/3rd a molar tooth is broken, then your dentist covers it with a crown; it is a tooth-shaped cap that helps protect the matter under it. Various materials are available to make crowns, including porcelain, porcelain fused with metal, or the metal itself, and ceramic.
Root canal
This option is best for a tooth that is in 2 pieces enough to expose the pulp center containing all the tooth nerves and vessels. If bacteria manage to reach the inner layer, sensitivity is inevitable.
Final out Look
We hope that this blog was of help and had all your answers. However, in case of more questions or dental procedures queries, contact Perio Health.