Broken Tooth
Teeth contain the hardest substance in our body. However, they are not invincible and can break more quickly than we sometimes think. Due to different factors, the layers of teeth wear out over time, putting teeth at risk of cracks and fractures.
A broken tooth is one of the common dental emergencies. Although it may not hurt like a toothache or knocked-out tooth, seeing your dentist as soon as possible is essential to prevent or minimise the risk of infection.
Symptoms of Broken Tooth
Thus, the signs of a chipped or cracked tooth depend on the extent and type of break.
Common signs include:
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Delicate to hot, cold or sweet products and services
- Inflammation of gums that surround the particular tooth
- Visible cracks or breaks in the tooth
Top Causes of A Broken Tooth
- Using teeth as a tool or chewing on tough foods
- Teeth grinding and clenching.
- A strong blow to the mouth or jaw
- Large cavities
- Large fillings
- Root canal treatment failure
- Dental health problems
First Aid for Broken Tooth
- Rinse mouth with warm water. If bleeding happens, use a piece of gauze to apply pressure to the region and wait for the bleeding to cease, usually for ten minutes. If no gauze is available, you may also use a tea bag.
- Apply a cold pack to the affected area to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- If you can’t get to a dental clinic immediately, cover the affected tooth with temporary dental cement, which can be easily purchased at a drugstore.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medicine.
Treatment for Different Types Of Broken Tooth
A tooth can break in different ways, and each type requires a specific approach to handling the situation.
Minor cracks – if only the outermost layer of a tooth has been affected, these are called minor cracks or craze lines. To repair minor cracks, the dentist will polish the tooth to smoothen the rough spots.
Chips and cracks – tooth fillings are used to repair chips and cracks to improve the structure and appearance of the tooth. Root canal treatment may be suggested if the crack exposes your tooth’s nerve and other tissues.
A fractured cusp occurs when the tooth’s chewing surface, not the inner parts, is broken. Broken cusps can be repaired and restored with composite resin. Dental crowns or onlays may also be recommended.
Split Tooth – this broken tooth is usually treated in three phases: root canal treatment, dental crown installation, or tooth extraction (for severe cases).
Decay-induced break is a type of broken tooth resulting from an untreated cavity. The dentist will first evaluate the affected tooth to determine the extent of the damage. If the decay already affects the bone, tooth extraction will be performed.
Broken Tooth Repair in Thornton
If you have a broken tooth and need an emergency dentist in Thornton, we are here to help.
Thornton Dental offers the Same Day Dental Emergency Appointments!
We provide same-day appointments for dental emergency cases and comprehensive care for almost any dental emergency. Our experienced and responsive dental team provides treatment in a caring and compassionate manner.
Call us on (02) 4966 2996 or book your appointment online today!
Visit us at Thornton Shopping Centre, Shop 30/1 Taylor Ave in Thornton.