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Does Filling The Teeth Help In Treating Cracked Molar?

Posted on Thu, 5 May 2016

Question: Greetings. I visited the dentist today who did a filling in my upper molar where there is a hairline fracture. I didn't really understand what his filling would do since no other dentist had ever recommended doing anything except for a root canal if the fracture hit the root. Perhaps you could explain this to me better.
Second, he recommended porcelain veneers for several front teeth that he said were "cracked" - and that I could potentially lose one or more teeth. No previous dentist had ever recommended that either. He told me there is no way of determining how soon I would have trouble with the teeth without the porcelain, but he showed me that he has it on his own teeth. What is your opinion of this as well? The charge for doing the porcelain could be at least $1,000 per tooth and is not covered by any insurance. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Filling will not help in cracked molar,need of Veneers depend on cause..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain I would like to explain you about your questions point wise..

Firstly as you have a cracked molar that too hitting the root then filling of such tooth makes no sense as the filling will fall off soon..
The tooth can become painful due to inflammation of nerves as the filling material can irritate the nerves present inside the tooth..
If the tooth is cracked you should however consult an Endodontist and get an x Ray of tooth done and after a proper diagnosis either Root Canal treatment or extraction can be advised to you.

Seconndly, as far as Veneers on front teeth is concerned I would like to know a few more details so that I can guide you better.
1.Cracks in front teeth means what exactly, are there cracks in Enamel layer of tooth or teeth are split or fractured?
2.Are the teeth discoloured, painful or worn off?
If possible send me a picture of your front teeth as well as scan of x rays if you have..

Please revert back soon with answers..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (30 minutes later)

Thank you for your quick reply. The upper molar has only a "hairline" fracture but does not reach the nerve. He inserted some kind of filling and said it should preserve the tooth.
About the porcelain issue, I have no pain, but some discoloration and what he says are vertical lines that are cracks of some kind. I am attaching my photo. I hope the front teeth are clear.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like Cervical abrasions, veneers can help..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

Thanks for the reply.

As you have a hairline crack in your molar that has not reached the nerve, then a filling can be helpful..

As I can evaluate your image it is showing enamel cracks and also have Cervical Abrasion that is wearing of the teeth at the region near the gums that is known as Cervical region of tooth..

In this case veneers can help in improving the appearance but in case if you do not want to go for veneers, then resin based tooth coloured fillings also help as well as it can be less costly..

Any further queries are welcome..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (16 minutes later)

Thank you. Do you mean that resin based are as protective as porcelain but less costly? The doctor suggested I do 6 teeth, but the two front teeth were most important. Do you believe it would be urgent to preserve the teeth, And is the abrasion a serious problem?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Deep abrasions can cause nerve exposure..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

As per your query resin based filling are not as strong as Porcelain but still they work well on front teeth as the front teeth are not load bearing areas of the teeth..

As far as preserving the teeth is concerned you need to take care immediately as the teeth can get abraded deeply and there can be nerve exposure leading to pain and then even filling cannot be done and you need root canal treatment..

So I would suggest you to take care of the teeth immediately..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Would a crown work as well and be less costly?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Crown is the best option.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

As per your query, capping of the teeth is the best option as they are stronger and has a better lasting as compared to fillings..

I would suggest you to consult a Prosthodontist and get evaluated and capping of teeth can be done to preserve the teeth..

As far as cost is concerned, the cost of crown/cap can be more than filling but less than or almost equal to veneers but the longivity is more than other treatment modalities..

Any further queries are welcome..

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak