A broken tooth can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, all too often, it happens at the most inconvenient time. However, many times a dentist can save a broken tooth. Let us look at what to do for a broken tooth and how a dentist can help.
When someone breaks a tooth, they should first find any pieces of the teeth that have broken off and attend to first aid needs. If the broken tooth involves pain or bleeding, is knocked out entirely, or is significantly broken, it is a dental emergency. The patient should find an emergency dentist right away.
Serious maxillofacial injuries may require a trip to the emergency room. In addition to preserving the piece of tooth in milk, a patient should rinse their mouth with salt water. Cover any jagged edges in the mouth with sugarless gum or dental wax.
The dentist will examine the damage and determine treatment based on the severity. A dentist may treat minor enamel chips with fillings or dental bonding. Dental bonding is when a dentist uses ultraviolet light to bond composite resin to the tooth surface. Sometimes the dentist will use this technique in conjunction with reshaping the jagged parts of the tooth. For minor enamel chips to the tops of teeth, reshaping alone may be sufficient.
More extensive chips may require a dental onlay, inlay, or dental crown. A large break in the tooth is most likely to require a dental crown. This is especially true of breaks or cracks affecting the tooth pulp. If this has happened, the dentist may need to perform a root canal before covering the tooth with a crown.
If the tooth splits, it will likely need extraction. However, the dentist usually only turns to this as a last resort. Quickly getting to the dentist increases the chance of the tooth being saved and helps you avoid more invasive treatments. For minor chips and breaks, treatment can usually be finished in one dental appointment. Patients who need a crown will likely need two appointments to complete treatment.
Not all broken teeth are avoidable, but there are steps you can take to make them less likely. First, avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens or ice. Next, wear a mouth guard and proper head protection if you are involved in high-contact athletics. Finally, healthy teeth are stronger teeth and less likely to break. Therefore, practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and seeing a dentist at least twice a year.
A broken tooth does not necessarily mean you will lose that tooth. This article has given you an overview of what to do if you crack or chip a tooth. It is good to have a plan ahead of time and know who you will call. Call us today to learn how our team can fix a broken tooth.
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