Extract or Crown 1st Molar: What Options Available? (photo)

My 1st lower left molar is fractured & has RCT. The tooth is being held by filling which is lower than the gumline. I experience intermittent gum pains that eventually pass. I have a wisdom tooth on the same lower left side that has not erupted. Q1) If I extract the tooth: 1-Will the 2nd molar will drift forwards? 2-Can the wisdom tooth will erupt? 3-Is it guaranteed that the opposing upper left molar will supra-erupt? If i don't extract the tooth what other options are available?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by kenc81

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (0)

Crown Or Extraction After Tooth Fracture

If you're interested in keeping the tooth, I would see an endodontist (root canal specialist) to see if the root canal needs re-treatment or if it's possible or worth it to retreat. If the tooth is good you can have a bonded filling and a crown. If the tooth is extracted your options are an implant or a bridge. The second molar will probably drift forward and the opposing tooth supra-erupt but no way to say how quickly. Can't say if third molar will erupt further.

Extract or Crown

From the photo I would say crown I am unable to read the radiograph sorry but if the periodontal health is good and the radiograph wnl I say maintain the tooth good luck Kevin Coughlin DMD, MBA, MAGD CEO Baystate Dental PC

Options following tooth fracture

Hey Ken, Thanks for the photo and x-ray . Unfortunately, the quality of the x-ray is not good enough to be diagnostic. From what you're describing the tooth may be fractured. You should have it checked out by a dentist to see if that's indeed the case. If there's a fracture and the tooth cannot be saved, a dental implant is the first option. A 3-unit bridge is also an option. You're right in thinking that if the space is left empty the teeth will shift over time to close... more

Peter Mann, DDS

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Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist

Extraction is not a good solution.

Based on the photo, the x-ray which is not very good, and your description I would recommend that if your dentist (you may want to get more than one opinion) says that the Root Canal is okay that you have your tooth restored with a Post and Core and then a Crown as soon as possible. I would guess that your pain is coming from food impaction due to the fracture and home care/ oral hygiene is difficult or impossible. The tooth should have been restored as soon as the Root Canal was... more