Tooth enamel is one of the hardest elements in your body, yet it’s not invulnerable to cracking or breaking. If tooth enamel wears away enough, it can leave your teeth fragile and capable of fractures or breakage. Knowing what to expect and what to do if you have a broken tooth can help you handle the situation better.
What Causes Teeth to Break?
- A weakened tooth due to a cavity or previous dental work.
- Biting down on something hard. Eg: ice, nuts.
- A misaligned bite, could be a risk for a chipped or cracked tooth.
What Does a Broken Tooth Look Like?
A tooth can break in various ways and some of the most common ways are the following:
- Chipped front teeth
- Hairline crack in a tooth
- A tooth broken at gum line
- A vertical split
Is a Broken Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Most of the time a broken tooth is not an emergency especially if you are not in pain. Having said that you should not ignore the broken tooth and should see your dentist as soon as possible to stop further damage to the tooth or to the adjoining teeth.
A hairline crack may go unnoticed for days but if not taken care in time it will lead to bigger problems and pain. So it is advisable to get treatment on time while there may be a possibility to save your tooth.
Treatment for a Broken or Fractured Tooth
At our office the dentist will perform a complete exam and take digital x-rays and images to assess the damage and determine the proper course of treatment.
Small chips could be repaired with minimal procedure but bigger cracks may need extensive work depending on the condition of the tooth and the dentist may suggest one of the following treatments:
- Dental fillings
- Root Canal
- Dental Crown
- Dental Veneers
- Tooth extraction
If the tooth is beyond repair, tooth extraction may be the only best possible treatment. In case of the tooth extraction the dentist will advice you of the possible treatments such as a dental bridge or an implant to fill in the gap between teeth. If the gap is left unattended for long it will shift the adjoining teeth.
What Happens If You Leave a Broken Tooth?
A cracked tooth is susceptible to further damage and even infections. If you leave a broken tooth untreated, you run a greater risk of losing the tooth. The affected tooth could even impact the teeth beside it and infections can spread to other parts of your body. That’s why it’s so important to have every chip and fracture examined by a dental professional.
If you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, our team at Impact Dental can help. Our team can evaluate your tooth and explain all treatment options thoroughly. Visit one of our dental offices in Lorton, Stafford or Woodbridge today!
Contact Impact Dental Care for All of Your Dental Needs
At Impact Dental Care, we provide a full range of dental services and take care of most of your dental needs in-house, including dental bridges and dental implants. We have sedation certified dentist, so sleep dentistry is always an option. We are dedicated to provide excellent service, quality care, and patient convenience. Click here to learn more and to set up an appointment.
