Had root canal yrs ago, now the same tooth has broken. Should I bother getting it fixed when it doesn't hurt?

Question

The tooth is a molar, and isn't visible to anyone.

Answer 1

Yes, you should it will get worst. Even thou is not hurting now eventually will mess up your gums, bone and those around that tooth. If you could afford an implant there will be your best bet. If not get a bridge, they look good and your bone will not suffer later. If is only a piece that broke just get a crown, your tooth is has nothing to protect it. You don't want to have a root tip as a tooth that eventually will happen. And the teeth around that one will move..

Answer 2

Assuming that the root canal was completed and a crown or cuspal coverage filling was placed, it seems as though the tooth will need a detailed re-evaluation by the root canal specialist. Sometimes it is impossible to locate and sterilize all canals in an infected tooth during a root canal procedure. Molars are especially tricky in that they can have upwards of 5 canals and curved roots. Dentists do their best to locate all canals and treat them appropriately. In severely infected or badly broken down teeth, root systems can be permanently damaged. Dentists treat the areas to the best of their ability in hopes that the pateint will get many more years of service out of the tooth. Of course, the patient has to take responsibility for keeping the area healthy and completing any needed procedures on the tooth (such as a crown). If a crown is not placed soon after the root canal, tooth fracture is a significant risk. You should see your dentist and get an evaluation, xrays, etc. You will either have to redo the root canal or explore other possibilities. Tooth fracture is a possibility, along with a periodontal (gum) issue. If the inflammation/infection is severe enough in the surrounding tooth, you can see changes and damage to the gums adjacent to the tooth in question. If you see an abscess or a pustule/bump on your gums near the tooth, this is a sign of an infection. Be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. If the tooth is fractured in the root system, extraction is usually the only option. Good Luck!! You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and relieve mild pain.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, decay can still set in and, of course, due to the root canal it will never hurt. The teeth on either side of the broken one can be affected as well as the bone beneath the tooth. It's really best to get it repaired, I'll bet your dentist will put on a crown of some sort. Good luck and I know it's expensive but better than false teeth down the road.

Answer 4

after a root canal - since the tooth no longer has a blood supply- it will become brittle and fracturing is a risk. you should go to the dentist and have them prepare a crown to go over it to protect it from breaking futhur if it can be done now. infection can still brew in that tooeh even tho it has had a root canal because it is not sealed over with a crown.

Answer 5

Uh....YES!!!!! My dentist told me 25 years ago that he could re-build teeth till the end of time, but when my gums go bad, out they all come! A future of bad-fitting dentures is haicheedubblehockeystick! That broken tooth will be the perfect place for bacteria to begin the gum disease that will make you wish you'd capped it, pulled it, or whatever. Hang on to EACH TOOTH as long as you can. So I'd cap it or crown it. Find the $ somehow. Otherwise the gum disease will eat away the bone structure of your jaw and you will soon lose adjacent teeth.

Answer 6

I'd recommend saving it. You should have had a crown put on this tooth after the root canal was done. Have your dentist look at the tooth to see if they crown can still be done.

Answer 7

You should have had a crown on that tooth. its not going to hurt because that is what a root canal is. Root is gone tooth structure is still there. its going to crumble more if you dont fix soon.

Answer 8

My dear fellow dental patient, I've had a few of those & the best way to preserve what's left of yr teeth regardless of what they are is to keep them clean.
Now since the tooth broke, that means it's not covered & the possibility of food remains gettin stuck in those roots is very high, if U leave it like this it'll deacy & shatter & U'll loose it.
My advise is to treat it, by cleaning & filling with a permenant fill; either platinum or porcelain, my personal advice is that since no one can see it use platinum since it's got a longer life than the porcelain.
have a nice day
;-)

Answer 9

though it is a molar, its best to get treatment as the molar helps with ur mastication. if it has badly fractured, it may give u problem later n may even cause over-eruption of the opposing tooth. extraction is also not the best solution as after extraction, there may b problem of over eruption or drifting of the adjacent tooth to take place of the one which is missing. so go to ur dentist n get treatment as soon as possible.

Answer 10

you need to get it fixed cuz it will hurt you later. what u need now is a build-up and a crown.the nerve will get exposed and then it will hurt. so try to fix it now cuz later on you will probley lose that tooth.