One Quarter of Back Molar Broke Off at Gum Line

[Craig10x]

This afternoon, i was eating some cereal, and one quarter of my rear molar on the left side of my mouth just broke off at the gum line....fortunately i did not swallow it. I don't really feel any pain and the rest of the tooth and most of the filling inside is still intact...

It doesn't feel like any of the rest of the tooth is going to come out and is still solidly in the gum...I have to call my dentist tomorrow to make an appointment but what are the usual options for this?  Might it be possible to fill in the area some way?  Thanks

[dayzee99]

Same thing with me this morning!! although i was eating doritos (I was chewing very carefully and slowly) but it broke, back tooth. pretty close to gum line straight down. i have a filling in the middle that i think is still intact. im hoping it can be bonded without getting a crown--less expensive because i have no insurance :(

[seekgreatness]

exact same thing happened to me this afternoon, EATING CEREAL. 1 year and 1 day later. i dont know what to do

[Craig10x]

Saw my dentist on saturday...she was able to put in a temporary filing which fills up the missing area...in about a week, she will be re-doing the filling that was already in there and expanding it to fill the missing area and that should do it!  

She doesn't think any more of the tooth will come off and with the new filling it will fill in the missing area and should help protect the tooth from any further damage...

So, looks like i may have lucked out with this one!
Thanks again!!!

[Pickums1283]

You're welcome. I was told a while back I'd probably need a crown on it in the future....seems the time has finally come :/  Good luck!

[Craig10x]

Thanks for your input...i will be seeing my dentist on saturday to evaluate...she has to do an ex-ray to check it...says possibly might be able to fill it or a crown might be needed, depending on various factors...she isn't sure as of course she hasn't seen it yet...hope there will be an easy and simple solution, of course...mine has a lot of filling in the center, just as yours is...

[Pickums1283]

I had a small piece break off of the top of my back left molar over the summer, and another little piece just broke off last Friday. The whole tooth is filled in from a previous cavity so to be honest, I am not sure if it was the actual tooth or part of the filling that broke off. Didn't have any pain or anything, just the occasional irritation on my tongue from hitting the sharp edge. The first time, my dentist just filled it in. This time, though, it was patched it up again, but I have to go back for a crown in a couple weeks :(

[Craig10x]

Thanks...hope they can do the onlay...i guess the x-ray will determine what my options will be...really weird they way it just broke off like that, neat and clean right to the gum line...

Hope it is ok to eat on that side...doesn't hurt there...i will try to take it easy when i chew...

If anyone else had a similar experience or has any thoughts...would welcome the feedback...

[scottma]

Redo filling is probably not a wise decision. Onlay or crown restoration probably may be better option.