My Tooth Broke After a Root Canal — What Should I Do?

So, you got a root canal done with a Calgary dentist and the tooth suddenly breaks, what should you do? First, do not panic! There are several ways to approach this problem, but you have to stay calm so you can address it properly.

Ideally, you should call our clinic first to schedule an emergency visit. At Sierra Dental, we offer emergency dentistry and can provide urgent and effective treatment when you need it most.

If you are unable to see a dentist immediate, there are many short-term solutions to reduce pain and discomfort until you can.

Why Do Teeth Break After a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is considered to be a highly effective procedure to save a tooth with severe decay, damage, or infection. However, root canals done by even the most highly trained endodontist can result in breakage.

At Sierra Dental, we commonly see root canal treated teeth break due to the following reasons:

Loss of tooth structure due to decay or damage prior to treatment

The less healthy tooth structure available before treatment, the more likely that the tooth will break even with proper root canal treatment and restoration.

Weakened tooth from the removal of pulp

The pulp is the life of the tooth. It provides nutrients that keep it healthy and alive. When the pulp is removed during routine root canal procedure, the tooth will become more brittle and prone to breaking.

Lack of protective restoration

A crown can provide functional and structural repair to a brittle tooth after a root canal treatment. But, some patients opt out of getting a crown for various reasons. This can risk damage to the tooth.

External trauma or excessive force

A root canal treated tooth is not as strong as your natural tooth. If it is subjected to trauma or heavy chewing force, it can crack or break.

Types of Breaks in Root Canal Teeth

There are several types of breaks that can occur to a tooth after undergoing root canal. Our in-house endodontist shares the following types of breaks you may encounter and the recommended treatment for each.

• Minor chips – This involves small cracks or chips that are mostly an aesthetic concern. Repair can be done quickly and easily using tooth-coloured dental fillings.
• Fractures above the gumline – Larger, visible fractures not only affect the visual appeal of the tooth, but can also make chewing and biting painful and difficult. Repair should be done quickly and can either be a crown repair or a root canal retreatment, depending on the depth of the fracture.
• Fractures below the gumline – Fractures require an urgent care at a clinic as this type of break can compromise the stability of the tooth. We will take an X-ray to check the severity of the fracture and if the tooth can be restored.
• Vertical root fractures – This is the worst type of break, creating a crack that runs from the biting surface to the root of the tooth. Unfortunately, they are often irreparable.

What to Do If Your Root Canal Tooth Breaks

A broken root canal tooth can cause pain, sensitivity, and even tooth mobility. If this becomes a problem, here is a step-by-step guide on what you can do:

Step 1: Assess the Damage

Check for signs of pain, sensitivity, bleeding, sharp edges due to chipping off, and tooth movement. Save any broken pieces. Our dentist will assess if we repair the damaged tooth.

Step 2: Contact Our Clinic Immediately

We recommend an urgent visit. The earlier you can get professional help, the better the chances that we can save the tooth. It also reduces the risk of infection and further damage.

During your visit, our team will recommend solutions, whether it is a simple restoration with fillings, crown replacement, or tooth extraction.

Step 3: Apply Temporary Measures

If you cannot visit our clinic right away, we recommend the following temporary solutions:

• Avoid chewing with the broken tooth.
• Take over-the-counter medications if there is any pain.
• Rinse the mouth with warm saltwater for disinfection.
• Use a dental wax or sugar-free gum to cover sharp edges, if there are any.

Treatment Options for a Broken Root Canal

Depending on the type of break on the tooth, here are some options our team at Sierra Dental may recommend:

• Dental filling or cosmetic bonding for minor breaks. This is a quick, painless, and easy fix to restore the shape and function.
• Crown replacement for breaks above the gumline.
• Root repair or tooth extraction for breaks below the gumline.
• Tooth extraction and replacement, such as dental bridges, dentures, or implant, for vertical root fractures.

Long-Term Care for Root Canal Treated Teeth

Future-proofing a tooth after undergoing root canal involves several key steps that involve proper hygiene maintenance and prevention of complications.

Crowns provide the best restoration

Our endodontists recommend getting a dental crown after root canal treatment. This increases the durability of the tooth and makes it last longer.

Good oral hygiene prevents dental diseases

Brushing and flossing twice a day prevents plaque, food, and bacteria build-up, which may compromise the health of your tooth.

Regular dental visits help identify and treat problems early

It is recommended that you visit your dentist every six months. Routine dental check-ups help our dentist spot early issues on your root canal tooth and recommend treatment before they get worse.

Broken Root Canal Tooth? Let’s Fix It Together!

When a root canal tooth breaks, it is important that you act quickly. This can make all the difference between simple repairs, such as a cosmetic filling, or losing your tooth when there is too much damage.

If you encounter this problem, Sierra Dental offers emergency care.

You can call us at (403) 297-9600 for urgent care. But if you cannot visit us right away, one of our friendly staff will go over helpful tips you can do as a temporary solution until your appointment.