Broken tooth also refers to tooth fracture is the condition when there is breakage or crack in enamel of the tooth. Depending on the severity of the condition you need to visit either to an emergency dentist or an endodontist to undergo radiography (X-rays) or clinical examination. Most tooth fracture takes place in madibular molar (back tooth).
Nowadays, general dentist addresses the issue more than endodontist. Although each condition of broken tooth doesn’t need immediate attention but you should treat it on an earliest note. By leaving it long without treatment, the crack will deepen down eventually falling off the tooth.
In this blog, we discuss 7 typical ways to address the broken tooth and restore its look and functionality. So, continue reading to know them.
When broken tooth is an emergency?
Broken tooth is an emergency if:
- There is bleeding or pain
- Significant break beyond enamel of the tooth
- The tooth knocks off completely
At that time you need to go to the dentist immediately. Most cases of broken tooth involves dental trauma and it can break your jaw too. In case, you are not able to bring the lower and upper teeth together while closing your mouth then go to emergency dentist on an earliest note.
If no bleeding or pain is there and the tooth experiences small damage amount then you may wait for a couple of days to see the dentist. In the meantime, you need to practice good oral hygiene.
7 ways for restoring the broken tooth
Broken tooth treatment depends on the location and size of break of crack. 7 most typical dental works to repair broken tooth are here:
- Tooth extraction and dental implant
When the crack spreads through the gum line then it is not possible to save the tooth. Extraction is the ultimate option for vertical crack of tooth that involves root and goes below gum line with mobile pieces. Post tooth extraction, dentist will carry out dental implant. Once the site heals, they will attach the denture, bridge or crown.
- Dental bonding and filling
Dental filling or bonding is a good option for repairing the damage involves chipping of small amount of enamel. It involves the use of silver alamgam (mixture of mercury with copper, zinc, tin and silver) or white composite resin.
Bonding will fill the cavity to restore the functional ability of the tooth. In case it misses a large portion then dentist will use dental inlay as replacement of missing part. This treatment is highly durable in contrast to dental filling.
If you get chip on front tooth and it is clearly visible then you need bonding. During the procedure, dentist makes use of UV light for bonding the tooth-coloured resin on the surface of tooth. - Reshaping
Dentist usually treats the small chip by reshaping, smoothing or polishing the area. It involves shedding of little amount of enamel from the surface. With correct conduction of the treatment, it will enhance the appearance of the tooth making it highly symmetrical. - Dental veneers
When you get small chip or the tooth faces cosmetic damage dentist will recommend dental veneers. It involves a layer of composite or porcelain resin to cover the natural tooth. By using veneers, you can restore the health of the broken front tooth.
Firstly, dentist needs to scrape off a little amount of enamel from the surface for applying the veneer. Then your dental impression will send to lab for the making of veneers. You will receive the veneers in your next appointment. - Dental crown and root canal
Large fracture consists of several tooth cusps and hence deems for crown. It refers to the cap or the cover that uses on the remainder of the damaged tooth. In case chip results in pulp or dentin exposure that the bacterial will definitely infect the pulp. At that time, you have to perform root canal treatment if pulp is dying or damaged irreversibly.
Root canal is all about pulp removal and use plastic filling (gutta percha) as replacement. Post-op dentist places a crown for additional protection of tooth. Till crown is made for the individual tooth, dentist will patch your chipped tooth with the help of a temporary crown for protection unless it is completely ready. - Onlay
Dentist makes use of dental onlay mainly on molars if it loses its important part or gets a large and deep crack. Just like veneers and crowns, dental onlay is made from zirconia or porcelain ceramics. Mainly, this is made in lab and then provides to the patients. - Tooth splint
Tooth splint is the correct solution for your cracked tooth in case damage is there in surrounding gums and bones. It will bond the damaged tooth with adjacent tooth which is healthy. By this way the gums and bones surrounding the tooth can easily heal from trauma.
Temporary at-home treatments for broken tooth
Unless you find an emergency dentist for restoring broken tooth, you can take the following steps for alleviating the risk of additional damage:
- Rinse the mouth using warm saltwater
- Exert pressure for resisting the bleeding
- Use the ice pack for diminishing the swelling
- You can take pain killer for severe pain
- Don’t chew with affected side of the mouth
- Abstain from hard food such as hard candy
- Use dental wax on broken tooth for protecting the gums
Remember, all of these steps give temporary solution. You must go to a dentist as soon as possible to restore your broken tooth.
Conclusion
Broken tooth is always a dental emergency that deems immediate professional attention. In such a scenario, you must go for London emergency dental treatment. Otherwise, it can go to cause various oral conditions including infection and tooth decay. Unless you find an emergency dentist for seeking treatment you can try out above-mentioned at-home remedies to deal with the problem temporarily.