A germinated tooth is one oversized tooth that has a crevice down the middle that makes the tooth look like two fused together. Each section shares the same lower portion of the root canal but separate at the upper pulp chambers that house the sensitive nerve and tissue cells that keep the tooth alive. The size and health of a germinated tooth can cause issues for surrounding teeth. When the affected tooth is a molar, the course of treatment depends on the type of molar, the size of the germinated tooth, and the health of that tooth.

Healthy First and Second Molars: Dental Shaving and Dental Crown

If the germinated tooth is a first or second molar that's healthy but oversized, the dentist might opt to treat the problem with the dual approach of dental shaving and a dental crown. The shaving can help the dentist get the existing tooth down to a size more typical of that type of molar. But doing the procedure will wear away the tooth's protective enamel layer and some of the dentin, which means the tooth will be largely unprotected from trauma and decay.

That is why the dentist will follow up with a dental crown bonded to the exterior of the shaved tooth. The crown can be all metal, which is stronger but less natural looking, or have a metal backing and a porcelain upper for a more natural look.

Damaged First and Second Molars: Root Canal and Crown

Has the germinated tooth experienced trauma or infection that has damaged the pulp within the pulp chambers? If the pulp damage isn't severe and the germinated tooth is smaller in size, the dentist might be able to treat the problem with a root canal and dental crown. Note that shaving might need to be added in to make room for the crown's bulk.

The dentist will need to drill holes above the affected pulp canal and then use a slender tool to scrape out the damaged material. The dental crown is then applied to both cover those drill holes and to streamline the outer appearance of the tooth.

Third Molar or Severely Damaged Molar: Extraction and Replacement 

The third molar is the wisdom tooth, which often doesn't emerge at all. If the wisdom tooth did emerge and is germinated, the dentist will simply extract the tooth. No further treatment will be required.

Extraction might also be ordered if your germinated first or second molar is severely damaged or massively oversized. In those cases, your dentist will want to follow up with a dental replacement option. A bridge is an affordable option that includes dental crowns on the neighboring natural teeth that provide support for the artificial tooth filling the extraction slot.

Another option is a dental implant, which includes a jawbone-implanted root that is fused into place by healing bone. The artificial tooth crown is then snapped onto that root.