Is a Broken Molar a Dental Emergency?

broken molar

A dental emergency is a broad term. So, is a broken molar a dental emergency? It can be. Learn more in this helpful guide.

Did you just bite down on a piece of hard candy, an unpopped popcorn kernel, or even just an ice cube and accidentally break one of your molars? If so, you may be wondering whether or not you have a true dental emergency on your hands.

More often than not, a broken molar will be a dental emergency. People should see an emergency dentist when they have broken molars to prevent any further damage from being done.


In some cases, you might be dealing with a chipped molar with no pain. In others, you might have a completely broken tooth with tons of tooth pain.


Either way, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to broken molars. Learn more about why they're considered dental emergencies below.

Why Is a Broken Molar a Dental Emergency?

Your molars are some of the most important teeth in your entire mouth. They do most of the heavy lifting when you're chewing on food.


For this reason, a broken molar will be a dental emergency in almost all instances. If you don't treat it like an emergency, you might struggle to eat food until you're able to have it looked at by a dentist.


There are any number of ways in which you can break a molar. You might bite down on something hard and break it. You might also lose a molar after getting hit in the face while playing a sport.



Whatever the case, you shouldn't hesitate to drive down to see an emergency dentist when you have a broken molar. You might be forced to deal with your fair share of pain if you don't.

What Should You Do When You Have a Broken Molar?

When you have a broken molar, getting to an emergency dentist's office ASAP will be of the utmost importance. But that isn't the only step you should take.


Here are several other things you'll want to do when you have a broken molar:


  1. Rinse your mouth out with salt water
  2. Apply a cold compress to your face to reduce inflammation
  3. Put gauze in your mouth to slow down bleeding
  4. Take over-the-counter pain medication


Ideally, you'll want to see an emergency dentist on the same day you suffer a broken molar. If your molar has fallen out completely, you should place it in either saliva or warm milk to preserve it and bring it with you.


Just be very careful when you're handling a broken molar. You always want to pick it up by the crown as opposed to touching its root since that could cause unnecessary damage to it.

How Will an Emergency Dentist Treat a Broken Molar?

After breaking a molar, it would be a good idea to call the best emergency dentist you can find to ask for a same-day appointment. It would also be wise to give this dentist some details about your broken molar so that they know what to expect.


When you arrive at an emergency dentist's office, they'll begin by evaluating your broken molar to see what kind of condition it's in. From there, they'll decide what to do next in an attempt to save your tooth.


Oftentimes, an emergency dentist will be able to do dental bonding to repair a broken molar. But they might also need to perform a root canal on your tooth or even place a dental crown over it as a long-term solution.


Every situation involving a broken molar will be a little different. It's why you shouldn't hesitate to see an emergency dentist's office as quickly as you can.

What Will Happen If You Don't Treat a Broken Molar?

If you decide not to seek treatment for a broken molar, you might get lucky and not have to deal with too much pain. But you might also find that you'll be in excruciating pain before long.


You might also suffer the consequences of not having a broken molar treated if you decide to go in this direction. It could lead to extensive nerve damage being done in your mouth. It could result in a dentist not being able to repair your broken molar as well.


At that point, you'll have no choice but to look into getting a dental implant put in the place of your broken molar. It'll be too late to try to reattach this tooth, and you might wish that you had sprung into action earlier to fix it.

Who Should You Trust to Treat a Broken Molar?

If you have a broken molar, you might be tempted to simply Google "emergency dentist near me" and select the first option you can find. But you could be making a huge mistake by taking this approach.


Rather than blindly choosing the first emergency dentist that appears to treat a broken molar, you should look for an experienced and reputable dentist to assist you. They should know how to treat a broken molar to make things right.



It'll be worth spending a few extra minutes doing your research on emergency dentists in your area. You'll feel better about going to the dentist to have them fix your broken molar when you know they understand what they're doing in this area.

Have a Broken Molar? Contact Us Immediately!

No one plans to suffer a broken molar. It often happens very suddenly and can send you into a total frenzy.


If you just sustained a broken molar, Dental Arts would love to help make things right for you. We can provide you with an emergency dentist in Catoosa, OK and make sure your issue doesn't turn into an even bigger headache than it already is.


Do you need to make an emergency dental appointment for a broken molar? Reach out to us now to get the help you need.

cavity filling cost
By Dental Arts of Catoosa 31 Mar, 2024
If your teeth are hurting, it's time to consider whether or not you have a cavity. This is how much a cavity filling costs.
Smiling-infant-happy
By Dental Arts of Bixby 24 Feb, 2024
Going to the dentist for the first time can be very scary for a kid, but it doesn't have to be. This is how you introduce them to a children's dentist.
young girl in dentist chair smiling and relaxing.
By Dental Arts of Locust Grove 21 Feb, 2024
If you have dental anxiety, you might be wondering how to relax in the dentist chair. Learn how sedation dentistry can help.
a woman in a pink shirt is covering her mouth with her hands .
By Dental Arts of Catoosa 14 Feb, 2024
Is crown lengthening painful? Check out this guide to find out if crown lengthening is painful and decide if it's the right dental treatment for you.
a dentist and a little girl are giving a thumbs up in a dental office
By Dental Arts of Catoosa 18 Jan, 2024
Cosmetic dentistry is constantly evolving. Read here to learn about modern innovations in cosmetic dentistry and get a look into the latest treatments.
nearest emergency dentist
By Dental Arts of Catoosa 10 Dec, 2023
An emergency dental situation merits a visit to the local dental specialist. Learn to find the nearest emergency dentist here.
Bacteria in mouth
By Dental Arts of Bixby 05 Dec, 2023
Are you trying to determine the best periodontal treatment for you? Discover the different types of periodontal treatments and their benefits in this guide.
Woman smiling and looking up
By Dental Arts of Locust Grove 05 Dec, 2023
Cosmetic dentistry is constantly evolving. Read here to learn about modern innovations in cosmetic dentistry and get a look into the latest treatments.
fastbraces vs. traditional braces
By Dental Arts of Catoosa 27 Nov, 2023
Dive into the Fastbraces vs. traditional braces debate. Explore the differences in speed, treatment, and effectiveness to make an informed decision.
all-on-4 dental implants
By Dental Arts of Catoosa 28 Oct, 2023
Keep reading if you've lost teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury. This article tells you what you need to know about All-On-4 dental implants.
More Posts
Share by: