Broken Tooth

A broken tooth is not a simple thing. While enamel is the hardest and most mineralised part of our body, its strength is also limited. Situations like falling, injuries, biting on something hard, or receiving a blow to face can cause a tooth to get broken or chipped, especially if the tooth is already decayed. You need not panic if you have got a chipped or broken tooth. The dentist can fix it. Broken teeth can range from small chips to complete fractures. If your tooth breaks off from your gum line, visit your dentist right away. Visit our Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in London to find out more about broken teeth and managing them with our expert dentists.

What is a cracked or broken tooth?

A broken or cracked tooth is when your tooth gets damaged and results in a small break or fracture. While the crack can be too small at times to affect your tooth, severe cracks might cause your tooth to split or break into pieces. A badly broken or cracked tooth is a dental emergency.

Signs that Indicate You Have a Broken or Cracked Tooth

Here are the main signs indicating you have a broken tooth:

A toothache that comes and goes

You might notice a toothache for a while, and then is disappears over time. This pain might return again, creating a serious problem with your teeth. This inconsistent pain occurs due to the the exposure of the dental nerves due to the crack.

Pain while chewing

Until you bite or chew and you are experiencing pain in certain areas of your mouth, it is possible that your tooth might be broken in that area.

Excessive sensitivity

A cracked tooth is often known to produce sensitivity than pain. Exposure of a broken tooth to heat, cold, or sugar can trigger this sensitivity, and cause a stinging sensation. This sensitivity points to the exposure of your dental nerves which were previously protected by your tooth enamel.

Swollen gums

A broken tooth is always susceptible to the risks of infection. Entry of the bacteria through the tooth breakage can infect your dental pulp and soft tissue within the tooth. As a result, the gum tissue around your tooth swells up and becomes tender.

Unexplained pain

If you have pain in your gums or teeth, finding out if your tooth is broken is not easy.

Types of Broken or Cracked Tooth

Cracked tooth

It is a vertical crack running from your tooth surface to the gum line. This crack can even extend into your gum line and dental root.

Fracture lines

These are very thin and small cracks on your tooth enamel which do not usually hurt.

Fractured cusp

If a crack develops around your dental filling, it might lead to a fractured cusp. These are not generally painful.

Split tooth

When your teeth split into two parts, a crack forms which may run beneath your gum line.

Vertical root fracture

This crack begins below your gum line and progresses towards your tooth surface. This kind of cracked tooth might not produce any symptoms unless your dental pulp is infected.

Oblique supragingival cracks

Such cracks only affect the dental crown without extending below your gum line. This is why they are not generally painful.

Oblique subgingival cracks

These cracks can be painful as they extend below the gum line. Proper treatment is important to expose the crown and restore the tooth.

Oblique root cracks

These cracks do not usually appear on your tooth surface. The damage starts from below your gum line, usually from below the jawbone. Tooth extraction is the only way to treat this kind of crack.

What causes broken tooth?

A broken tooth can be caused by the following reasons:

• Age: With your increasing age your teeth begin to wear down, increasing the chances of your teeth being broken. People of 50 years or above are more prone to tooth cracks as compared to younger individuals.
• Biting on hard foods: Biting on sweets, ice, or popcorn kernels can produce cracks in your teeth.
• Dental treatments: Treatments like root canal or dental filling can make your teeth weak and increase your chances of getting cracked teeth.
• Teeth grinding or bruxism: Stress and similar other problems can cause you to grind your teeth, and result in cracked teeth over time.
• Dental trauma: If you get some kind of injury in the mouth, you might develop a cracked tooth. If you get injured during sports or in some kind of accident, such conditions may occur.

Symptoms of Broken Teeth

Cracked or broken teeth do not always produce symptoms. Some most common symptoms of broken teeth include:

• Sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks, or temperature changes
• Sharp pain while biting down on your teeth
• Toothache while chewing or biting
• Swelling around your affected tooth

Untreated broken tooth can result in tooth abscess or a dental infection which may lead to serious health complications. These symptoms include:

• Tooth pain that does not go away
• Halitosis or bad breath
• Swollen gums
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes

How is a broken tooth diagnosed?

A dentist will first investigate your symptoms and check on the possible causes to diagnose your br0ken tooth. This will be followed by your dentist performing the following:

• Instruct you to bite down to check if it pains.
• Check for signs of cracks, breakage, or other damage to your teeth.
• Assess your gums for inflammation as vertical fractures might produce gum irritation.
• Transillumination – passing a light through your tooth to highlight the underlying crack.
• Apply a staining dye on your tooth to get a better view of your tooth crack.
• Take dental X-rays to look for fractures and related problems like bone loss. Imaging usually includes a 3D cone beam CT scan which helps identify bone loss.
• Find the crack with the help of a periodontal probe. It is a tiny tool which measures bone loss around your tooth.

You dentist can further refer you to an endodontist for further treatment.

How to take care of a broken or chipped tooth?

If you have a broken, fractured, or chipped tooth, it is better to visit your dentist as fast as possible. Your tooth can otherwise be damaged or get infected other, might even ending up in your tooth loss. You can try the following measures to take care of your broken tooth:

• If your affected tooth is painful, it is recommended to take some pain reliever and rinse your mouth thoroughly with salt water.
• You must eat soft foods and refrain from biting on the broken tooth.

Repairing a Broken Tooth

Dental Bonding or Filling

If just a small piece of your tooth enamel is chipped off, the damage may be repaired with a filling. If your front teeth require the repair and is visible when you smile, your dentist will probably suggest a procedure called bonding. This uses a composite resin resembling your natural tooth colour.

Bonding is a simple process which typically does not need numbing your tooth. The dentist first applies a gel or liquid on your tooth surface to make it rough and then sticks the bonding material to it for bonding the tooth. The dentist then applies an adhesive substance to the tooth and then a tooth coloured resin. Finally an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin material.

Dental Crown or Cap

If a large piece of your tooth falls out or if the tooth is decayed, the dentist files away or grinds the remaining part of the tooth. Then the dentist covers it with a crown, a cap fitting your tooth shape, protecting your tooth and improving the appearance. Permanent crowns can be made from resin, ceramic, metal, or porcelain fused to metal.

Getting a dental crown usually requires two dental visits. During the first visit, the dentist will first take X-rays to check your dental roots and the surrounding bone. Next the dentist numbs your tooth and surrounding gum, removing the remaining tooth to create space for a crown. The dentist will then use a putty-like material to take an impression of your tooth getting the crown. These impressions are then sent to the laboratory for making the crown. The dentist will provide you a temporary acrylic crown for then.

During your second visit which is usually after 2 to 3 weeks, the dentist will remove your temporary crown and fit your permanent crown in the right place.

Dental Veneers

If one of your front teeth is chipped or broken, a dental veneer can give you a whole and healthy look. Dental veneer is a thin shell composite resin material or porcelain, similar to your tooth colour. It covers the entire front of your teeth with a thicker section, replacing the broken part of your tooth.

Root Canal Therapy

If you have a broken or chipped tooth which is large enough to expose the pulp, bacteria present in your mouth can get easy entry into the pulp and cause infection. If your tooth hurts, is sensitive to heat, or changes colour, the pulp is diseased or damaged. This pulp tissue can die and if not removed, the tooth gets infected and requires extraction. Root canal therapy includes removing your dead pulp, cleaning the root canal, and finally sealing it.

Tooth extraction

If your broken or cracked tooth causes severe damage to your dental nerves and roots, the dentist might recommend extracting your tooth. This involves replacing your problematic tooth with a dental implant or dental bridge.

Cosmetic Contouring

It is a cosmetic procedure which is most effective in treating the smallest of tooth chips. During this process the dentist skilfully removes every rough edge through a rounding and polishing procedure. It causes the crack or chip to blend with the natural structure of your tooth. The ultimate result is a flawless natural look.

Different Dental Injuries Requiring Different Treatments

Cracks that do not require treatment

Remember that not every chip or crack requires treatment, and few of them are quite common.

Cracks that need to be seen by a dentist

You will require seeing a dentist for small chips or cracks, as investigating how severe your tooth damage by yourself is quite hard.

Cracks that need quick treatment

While different types of tooth injuries can wait until you get your dentist appointment, some other cases might need emergency treatment. In case of a knocked out tooth, you can manage the condition by finding it, putting it back in the socket, and seeing your dentist right away. Moreover, extreme pain or heavy bleeding from your teeth can also be considered dental emergencies.

How is the treatment done at our clinic?

At our Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, a broken tooth can be treated by:

Collect teeth and teeth fragments

Our dentists make sure to handle the tooth carefully as the damage may hinder reimplantation. Our team ensures touching only the top part of the tooth – the crown. Next we rinse your broken tooth gently for about 10 seconds in a bowl of lukewarm water to remove any foreign matter or dirt from it. We also make sure to avoid scraping, scrubbing, or using alcohol to get rid of the dirt.

Reinsert or store the teeth

Next our dentist rinses your mouth with warm water. We then try reinserting your broken tooth into the right sockets, if possible. The person then needs to bite on a gauze pad to hold the tooth in place. If reinserting your natural broken tooth is not possible, we store it to prevent it from drying up.

Treat the symptoms

Our team uses a sterile cloth or gauze to control bleeding from the site of your broken tooth. We apply a cool compress to prevent swelling and pain. We also provide pain relievers to alleviate the discomfort or pain.

We refer you to specialists in case the condition is severe.

Why choose Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic?

Here is why our Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic is the perfect partner in restoring your smile and confidence by treating your broken tooth:

• Our dentists are deeply committed to understanding your unique needs, offering personalised care, and addressing all your concerns.
• We take pride on our track record, having transformed the smiles of thousands of satisfied clients across the UK and beyond.
• Our team creates customised, straightforward treatment plans designed to meet your specific dental needs, ensuring your smile is exactly how you want it.
• We guarantee pain-free, comfortable dental implant procedures, using sedation or local anaesthesia for your comfort.
• Our clinic features modern infrastructure, cutting-edge techniques, and top quality materials, making our treatments highly effective and efficient.
• We offer flexible financing options with 0% interest, making our treatments more affordable for you.
• Our friendly team is dedicated to providing excellent patient care and outstanding customer service.
• We make sure there are no hidden fees or extra charges – transparency is our priority.
• Our easy-to-use online booking system makes scheduling appointments more convenient.
• We also offer same-day appointments and flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy schedule.

What is the cost to fix a broken tooth in the UK?

If you want to get your broken tooth fixed in privately the UK, primary corrections involve getting a root canal and crown; which altogether ranges around £1500 to £2000 . However, the price largely varies across the UK. If you require tooth extraction or dental implants, the costs may raise up to £3,000 to £5,000.

Most dental insurance plans usually cover most of the tooth repair costs, based on your insurance policy. However, there are many insurers as well who do not cover cosmetic treatments. Most broken tooth repairs typically need just a couple of dental visits, while more extensive procedures might need more dental appointments.

Key Takeaways

Breaking or chipping a tooth can be really painful, but there are several cases as well where the chip or crack is not very serious and might be cured with little or no treatment. However, seeing a dentist can be the best way to ensure complete protection of your teeth and overall dental health.

Contact our Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in London via [email protected] or call us on 020 71830755 to book an appointment with our expert dentists.

FAQs

Is a broken tooth serious?

Yes, a broken tooth can be serious at times. For instance, a cracked tooth can make way for bacteria to seep into your dental pulp and lead to tooth abscess. An untreated tooth abscess might even spread to your jawbone, tendons, facial muscles, or fat cells in your neck and face.

Does a cracked tooth always need treatment?

No, a cracked tooth does not always need a treatment if it does not produce any such complication. For instance, if your tooth shows a hairline crack which does not necessarily cause any pain, infection, or extends much deeper into your tooth, treatment is not required. It is better to consult a dentist and discuss your symptoms to check if your broken tooth requires any treatment at all.

How can you protect your teeth during sports?

If you involved in any contact sports or some other game which includes risks of being hit in your mouth, considering wearing a mouth guard to protect your teeth from breakage or other injuries.

Why don’t cracks show up on a dental x-ray?

Dental X-rays fail to show the cracks in your teeth at times. This is primarily because the X-ray beam falls parallel to your dental crack without penetrating it. These cracks cannot be usually recorded through dental x-rays.

What happens if you do not fix a broken tooth?

If you do not address your chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, it can result in more serious problems. The damage begins to worsen and cause infection in your dental pulp or root canal. A broken tooth is again more likely to undergo further wear and tear in its weakened condition.

Can you prevent a cracked tooth?

While it is not always possible to prevent a cracked tooth, there are ways to reduce the chances of breaking a tooth. A good oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits help keep your mouth clean. Using a mouth guard can also protect your tooth from injuries during sports.