Dental Treatments to Repair Your Broken Tooth

December 22, 2023, Acu Dental and Orthodontics

Learn how to deal with a broken tooth, from assessing the damage to choosing the best treatment option, and prevent future tooth breaks with this guide.

Cracked smiles are charming, but a cracked tooth? Not so much.

 

Whether you chipped it nibbling on some deceptively hard candy or went all out and fractured it taking a spill on the ice, a broken tooth is enough to make you cringe and freak out a bit.

 

But chill out (and press that ice pack to your cheek)! This guide will show you how to deal with the broken tooth dental emergency.

 

Get ready to tackle that wobbly smile armed with info and choices.

 

First Things First: Assess the Damage

 

Take a deep breath and grab a good mirror. What kind of break are you dealing with?

 

Minor Chip or Crack: These usually involve just the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth. You might experience some sharp edges or mild sensitivity, but no major pain.

 

Moderate Break: This delves deeper, reaching the dentin layer, causing more noticeable pain and sensitivity. Chips might be larger, exposing the inner layers of the tooth.

 

Severe Break: If the break exposes the pulp, the soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth, you're likely in significant pain. You might even see the nerve tissue or experience throbbing pain, swelling, and potential temperature sensitivity.

 

 

Minor Chips and Cracks

 

If you're facing a minor chip or crack, consider yourself lucky! These are often easily fixable with the help of your friendly neighborhood dentist.

 

Here are your options:

 

Bonding:

 

This is a quick and painless fix. Your dentist use a tooth-colored resin to fill in the chip, and just like that, your smile is back to its former glory. Perfect for those small, noticeable chips, giving you a natural look.

 

Fillings:

 

Similar to bonding, but a bit beefier. When you've got slightly larger cracks or chips, the dentist cleans out the damaged stuff and fills it up with a tough composite resin. Fixes both the function and the looks of your tooth.

 

Crowns:

 

Now, if things are a bit more serious and the chip or crack is messing with the whole tooth structure, a crown could be your best move.

 

It's like a little cap that covers the whole visible part of the tooth, shielding it from more damage and bringing back its normal function.

 

You've got options here – crowns come in different materials like porcelain or metal, so you can choose what matters more to you: looks or toughness.

 

Major Cracks

 

For moderate to severe breaks, the situation gets a little more complicated, but don't lose hope! These scenarios require prompt dental intervention to prevent further damage and infection.

 

Root Canal:

 

Now, if the pulp is exposed, then may be root canal is your best option. Your dentist will basically scoop out the infected pulp, clean up the insides of your tooth, and fill it up with a special material.

 

Sounds scary, right? But thanks to sedation dentistry, root canals are way less painful than you'd think. Plus, they're a lifesaver for teeth that would otherwise be yanked out.

 

Extraction:

 

Okay, this is the last treatment option for a broken tooth. If your tooth is totally wrecked and beyond fixing or if it's a risk for getting infected, your dentist might have to pull it out.

 

But don't stress – modern dentistry has some latest options for replacing lost teeth, like implants or bridges. So, no need to live with a gap-toothed grin forever.

 

But You Have to Act Promptly

 

The sooner you see a dentist after a break, the better the chances of saving your tooth and minimizing pain or complications.

 

Don't panic! While a broken tooth is stressful, stay calm and follow these steps. A qualified dentist will guide you through the best treatment options.

 

Prevention is key! Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene can help prevent future tooth breaks.

 

Bonus Tip:

 

Don't let the pain bring you down while you're waiting for the dentist. Grab some painkillers from the pharmacy and put some ice on your cheek to bring down the swelling.

 

Avoid chewing on the side where your tooth is busted, and go easy when you're brushing and flossing around it.

 

Now, just chill and take a deep breath. You can handle this!

 

This guide, along with your amazing dentist near you, will help you sort out that broken tooth and have your dazzling smile back in a jiffy.

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