What’s the cheapest way to fix my left front tooth that broke at the gumline yesterday? I prefer not to pay thousands of dollars for an implant. Will a root canal work? Thanks. Dixon
Dixon,
Unfortunately, a cheap fix for a tooth broken at the gumline won’t last or fully protect your tooth.
What Is the Treatment for a Tooth Broken at the Gumline?
When a tooth breaks at the gumline, options are root canal treatment and a dental crown or implant. Depending on the tooth’s condition, it may not be savable, requiring an extraction and implant.
Can Root Canal Treat a Tooth Broken at the Gumline?
Depending on the tooth’s condition and location, a root canal and crown can treat a tooth broken at the gumline. Root canal treatment weakens a tooth, so if the tooth is subject to intense stress when you chew or bite, root canal treatment may not be the best option.
A dentist may recommend placing two flexible fiberglass posts in the tooth to stabilize it. After filling the tooth with composite to build up the tooth, the dentist will protect it with a crown (cap).
Can a Dental Implant Treat a Tooth Broken at the Gumline?
A dental implant can treat a tooth broken at the gumline. However, you must have an extraction first. If the tooth is savable without compromising your oral health, you may not need a dental implant. An exam and X-ray will reveal the tooth’s condition.
Seeing a dentist promptly after tooth trauma increases the chances of saving it. Schedule an appointment with a dentist skilled in root canal therapy and dental implants to explain your treatment options and what to expect.
Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care he can.