my tooth broke today, the nerve inside was already dead. one side of it broke off, and that was about 25% of the tooth. what possible treatment is there for that other than root canals, oh and what EXACLY is a root canal?<br />

you probably get a cap on your tooth but I think it depends on the tooth.

I had a two teeth break off because the filling broke that were in them. The dentists just built my teeth back up, and now they're great. You could also have them pulled, but you don't want to have them pulled unless your going to have them replaced by dentures or such immediately. If you get them pulled and you don't have dentures you will probably have to have bridge work done later in life. I think a root canal is when they actually go into your gums and pull out all the roots to the particular tooth that is being pulled, I believe they do this to prevent you from having pain later on!!!<br />
Man tooth problems stink!!!! Get whatever it is you want done SOON before it starts hurting...tooth pain is the WORST!!!!

Root canal from my simple understanding having had one is where they remove the nerves (dead or alive), place antibiotics into the canal if there is infection and put a temporary filling in. That is the first visit. Then you go back to have a crown (cap) put on to give the tooth strength. Even after having root canal there is no guarantee the tooth will not deteriorate over time. I would suggest giving it a go as 25% missing is no real biggie. If you leave it too long and it deteriorates and you lose more they may just tell you it's too far gone and not possible/worth it and then you will have to have an extraction. If you have had previous extractions especially of important 'eating' teeth it is beneficial to act quicky to keep what you have left. All the best!

you need to get an X ray, your dentist is the best judge as to what has to be done. Looks like you need a root cannal treatment. Its a miner tooth surgery, done inside the tooth where the dead nerve & tissues are removed & the cannal washed & later filled or you have to go for an extraction & a denture.

a root canal is when the dentist numbs the tooth drills a hole through the top of the tooth cleans out the canals with special instruments you should feels pressure not pain root canals have come a long way. once the tooth breaks Bactria enters and infects the canal it probably is going to need the root canal then the dentist will build the tooth up with a resin filling material then crown the tooth so you have chewing support