A common misconception is that a broken tooth that does not cause any discomfort is not an immediate concern. However, a broken tooth, even one that does not hurt, can jeopardize the tooth's long-term health and eventually lead to more severe complications, including tooth loss.
While the enamel that covers teeth is the hardest tissue in the human body, it can naturally weaken over time. If an individual falls or experiences facial trauma, they may find that they have broken or chipped a tooth. Another common way to break or chip a tooth is to bite down on something hard, such as a piece of caramel corn or hard candy. This situation often occurs if a tooth already has decay, a cavity, or previous dental work has weakened the enamel.
There are several different types of broken and fractured teeth. The type of break usually determines the type of treatment that the patient later receives. These include the following:
Broken cusp: A broken cusp is when a piece of the patient's chewing surface breaks off. It typically occurs in a tooth with a filling. They should not affect the tooth pulp or cause much discomfort.
Cracked tooth: Cracked teeth usually involve a fracture extending from the tooth's chewing surface down to its root. The dentist may need to extract a severely cracked tooth to prevent a future root canal and dental crown.
Craze lines: These types of breaks are surface-level cracks that affect the enamel. They are usually shallow and rarely need treatment.
Decay-induced break: This type of break means a patient has tooth decay from an untreated cavity. The cavity weakens it both inside and out. If the decay is severe, the tooth may need to be removed.
Split tooth: A split tooth occurs when a tooth vertically breaks in two parts. These types of breaks usually begin with a cracked tooth. The fracture will grow until the tooth splits.
Vertical root fracture: These cracks start in the tooth root. They then extend toward the chewing surface. A vertical root fracture is usually undetectable until the patient experiences pain, inflammation, or infection around the tooth tissue.
Due to the risks of leaving a broken tooth untreated, dentists recommend seeking treatment as soon as possible after the break occurs. A broken tooth includes any type of damage that affects the tooth's structure, such as a chip, a cracked, severe decay, or severely worn down.
The invasiveness of the treatment is typically not as severe when a broken tooth is promptly treated by a dental professional. The dental professional can help ensure that the tooth remains healthy for the long term and that discomforting symptoms do not develop. However, a broken tooth that is not treated promptly could lead to severe concerns, including but not limited to the following:
An oral infection
A more severe break
Damage to other teeth
Gum damage
The loss of the tooth
In some instances, the failure to identify the underlying cause of the break can increase the risk of damage to other teeth. In addition, a broken tooth does not heal on its own, and the symptoms are likely to only worsen the longer the patient goes without treating the concern.
The best way to deal with a broken tooth is to prevent it from occurring through good oral hygiene and protecting the mouth. However, there are times when a broken tooth can still occur. The good news is that there are multiple ways that a dentist can treat a broken tooth. Depending on the type and severity of the break, a dentist may recommend one of the following options:
Dental crown
Composite bonding
Porcelain veneer
Dental filling
Inlay or onlay
There are additional restorative solutions that may be options. However, the best way to determine which type of broken tooth treatment is right for a specific situation is to schedule a consultation visit with a dentist.
If the structure of a tooth is damaged or altered in any way, it is important to visit a dentist to determine the cause and the best course of restorative treatment. The longer a broken tooth remains a secret, the worse the break is likely. Therefore, we recommend that anyone with a broken tooth call us to schedule a visit. We can promptly assess the severity of the break and provide a treatment recommendation, and in many instances, we can fix the break on the same visit.
Request an appointment here: https://www.villadental.com or call Villa Dental at (301) 409-3583 for an appointment in our Bethesda office.
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