After 30+ years of chomping on things one of my upper first molars decided to snap off a chunk. It’s not a huge amount, just a section off the side. Let me draw you an old school ASCII picture.
OOO
OOO
OOO
(Regular molar)
Oo.
OOO
OOO
(My molar)
The break doesn’t go below the gum line. A visual inspection of the tooth doesn’t seem to show it is about to break any place else (no visible cracks or holes). The tooth isn’t sensitive to hot or cold. In fact, short of this funny gap between my first and second molar I wouldn’t know anything changed. I didn’t even know I broke it during dinner until I stumbled on the gap with my tongue.
I’ve never broken a tooth before so I’m not sure of dental repair options. I’m asking because I’ve had two dentists in my life offer to “fix” problems with my teeth all other dentists have failed to find (like the 13 cavities one dentist told me I had but the following 4 dentists I visited never found).
Is it common for breaks like this to just file down the rough edges and cover the exposed dentin with the same stuff used in fillings?
Will this tooth now need a crown?
Is it ok to just leave breaks like this alone?
(I’m visiting a dentist in a couple days. I’d just like to be more aware of options)
It might need a crown. The broken part is now susceptible to decay, and you don’t want that to happen. It may also be susceptible to break further, so a crown might be your best option. I’m wearing seven of them right now, and I can vouch for their usefulness.
I’ve had a dentist use whatever that tooth colored stuff is to repair a broken-off corner of a molar. He was aware I couldn’t afford a crown at the time (no dental insurance) and said it might last for a year or so until I could afford the crown. That was at least 10 years ago and everything is still fine. I guess it is going to depend on your individual circumstances.
IANAD, however, I have had my share of dental problems, and have done my share of research. From what you have described, there is no way a crown is needed. A built up filling will probably do the trick, an inlay/onlay possibly needed, but if they suggest a crown for that, I would definately go elsewhere.
IANADentist, but I have broken a molar. I also broke a couple of incisors and a bicuspid, and my son has broken an incisor. It was presented to me as a “place your bets and take your chances” sort of thing.
A crown should last a lifetime since the entire biting surface has been formed as one piece. A buildup may last forever, especially for a smaller break like yours, but it’s basically a chunk of glue that is stuck onto the rest of the tooth. The glue may weaken over time and fall off. The glue holding crowns in place can also weaken over time, but you can get a crown reglued for the cost of a visit.
Also, look at the evidence. The way that you eat has placed enough stress on that point of that molar to break it off. The buildup will not be a strong as tooth enamel.
I ponied up the thousand dollars for a crown, since I had insurance and would be repaid for most of it (the dentist will want money up front–it’s labor intensive and they’re paying to have the crown made.) You might want to just get a buildup and get a crown later if the chunk falls off. Then again, you might want to pay out for a crown and not have to worry about it again.