Fractured tooth

[Patrick]

Hi

I had one of my back teeth root filled about 6 months ago by a dentist in west London. He told me at the time that the tooth needs a crown but I was very busy and did not go back for the crown.

Yesterday whilst eating some chocolates, the tooth cracked and half the tooth came apart. I am worried that tooth might have to come out because now there is a big part of the tooth missing but it does not hurt.

I don't really want an extraction now that I have spent money on root canal work. Can you tell me if anything can be done to save this tooth or does it need to be pulled out?

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Hi Patrick

Thank you for your post. Its recommended that a root filled teeth is crowned as a crown provides the best seal and prevents fracture of the brittle tooth walls.

When root filled teeth fracture, there usually is no pain as the nerve of the tooth has been removed and the tooth is essentially non-vital. So lack of symptoms does not mean that there are no problems.

Now that the tooth has fractured, it might be possible to save the tooth using a core and post which provide retention for the crown. You will need to have your tooth assessed ASAP as leaving a root filled tooth unsealed, allows bacteria to enter the root canal space and cause failure of the root canal.