Dealing With a Broken Tooth

Have you ever had an “avulsed” tooth? That sounds kind of scary. “Avulsed” is simply doctor-speak for a broken tooth or one which has been knocked out, and almost everyone has had it happen at some point in their lives.

Contact your dentist immediately if you have a broken tooth. A substantial break that does not cause the whole tooth to fall out may produce pieces a dentist can cement back onto the tooth, if you find them and take care of them until you get to the dentist.

There are several different levels of severity when it comes to broken teeth, and your dentist will treat each problem individually.

Minor cracks are also called “craze lines,” much like the lines that appear in the enamel of an old piece of pottery. Your dentist may lightly polish these cracks in your enamel, but minor cracks are usually only cosmetically important.

A small chip doesn’t always need treatment. Your dentist will probably lightly sand the area to smooth it out, unless it is in the front, where a tooth-colored filling would be more appropriate.

Cusp fractures affect the pointed chewing surfaces of the teeth. If they interfere with normal chewing, your dentist may apply a filling or a crown, if necessary.

Serious fractures expose the nerve tissue and cause pain and sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures. Sometimes these fractures bleed. Usually a root canal is required to remove exposed and diseased nerves, and a crown is very likely.

A cracked tooth involves the whole tooth from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve, but the two pieces have not come apart. Fillings will sometimes cure the crack, but a crown is almost always needed to hold the two pieces together and prevent further damage.

A split tooth means the crack has come apart. A root canal is the first order of business, followed by a crown to cover the left over roots and replace the tooth. Usually a fractured tooth must be completely removed.

Decay-induced fractures cause the tooth to crumble because of an untreated cavity. Get those cavities filled while they are small to prevent bigger problems!

For first aid if you have broken or knocked out a tooth, do the following:

Always use sterile dressings and tools! Infections can be started from putting non-sterile items in your mouth.

Apply a cold compress to the cheek or directly on your gums to help relieve pain and swelling.

Use a wad of sterile gauze and apply pressure to the area to control bleeding.

Get to the dentist or emergency room immediately. Nerve tissue may be exposed and immediate medical attention is needed to prevent infection, abscess, and pain.

Do not handle the tooth by the root area. Use clean hands and handle the crown portion of the tooth only.

A broken tooth can be painful and upsetting. Let your dentist assess the damage and make the best recommendation for how to fix or replace a broken tooth. Soon, you will be back on the road toward a beautiful smile!