Broken teeth are trauma injuries that may cause bigger problems in the future if left untreated. For this reason, it is crucial for oral and dental health to start treatment of a broken tooth from an early stage. Broken teeth can disturb the person both aesthetically and functionally and negatively affect their daily life.

A broken tooth can be treated with more than one method. The method of treatment is determined by taking into account the patient's condition and expectations. Determining and applying the right procedure for a broken tooth requires consulting a specialist physician.

What are the Types of Tooth Fractures?

Teeth can be broken for various reasons. Determining the reason and the size of the tooth fracture also changes the treatment method to be applied. Therefore, determining why the tooth is broken is important for a healthy result. Your dentist will meticulously evaluate your situation and decide on the most appropriate treatment method.

The most common types of tooth fracture can be listed as follows;

  • Craze lines: Craze lines, which often take the shape of thin vertical lines in the tooth's enamel, are tiny, hairline cracks that form in the tooth. They normally aren't officially called fractures. They don't cause any pain.
  • Fractured cusps: A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the tooth's chewing surface breaks off. It is a crack that forms around a dental filling. You may not feel any discomfort, but you may be sensitive to temperature. If the pulp is exposed over time, you might need a root canal treatment.
  • Cracked tooth: It is a type of fracture that runs vertically. A vertical crack extends from your tooth's biting surface to the gum line, and it can extend to your root. A cracked tooth may be more painful than other fracture types, and the treatment methods are numerous. That's why it is important to examine the fracture carefully and decide the procedure to be done. Sometimes a patient might need a root canal, or the cracked tooth can be extracted.
  • Split tooth: A split tooth is defined as when a crack runs all the way from the surface to the root, causing the tooth to split in half. The tooth might be extracted or a root canal can be applied.
  • Vertical root fractures: When such fractures occur, no change occurs on the surface of the tooth. The crack starts below your gumline and cannot be defected easily if the tooth isn't infected. It usually doesn't cause any pain.

Why Do Teeth Break?

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Just like the types of broken teeth, the reasons why teeth are broken are also important and different from each other. The causes of tooth fracture can be summarized as follows;

  • Trauma: Broken tooth can occur when exposed to traumatic effects such as accidents or falls. The tooth may break as a result of direct impact or excessive force.
  • Bruxism (clenching): Teeth put pressure on each other due to clenching/grinding during the day or night. As a result of this pressure, fractures may occur.
  • Caries: When tooth decay is left untreated, it damages the tooth enamel over time. As a result of weakened enamel, teeth become prone to fracture.
  • Genetics: Some individuals have weaker/thinner teeth due to genetic factors. Because of this, their teeth can break more easily.
  • Irregular oral care: When teeth are not brushed or flossed regularly, bacteria that grow in the mouth cause gum diseases. As a result, teeth start to weaken and break more easily.
  • Bad eating habits: Consuming sugary and acidic foods and drinks too often negatively affects dental health. Such foods erode tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth fracture.

You can read: How to Use Dental Floss

How To Fix Broken Tooth?

Broken teeth are a common problem that many people can face. Broken teeth can cause pain and infection as well as aesthetic problems. Therefore, it is best to get them treated as soon as possible.

Today, there are many options available for the treatment of a broken tooth. Therefore, the most appropriate treatment procedure can be determined by the dentist according to the patient's situation and expectations. Broken tooth treatment is extremely significant in terms of relieving pain, improving aesthetic appearance, and restoring tooth function. Commonly used broken tooth treatment methods are as follows;

Filling / Bonding

Tooth fractures, especially in the front teeth, can be treated with dental filling / composite bonding. In the bonding process, a composite resin suitable for tooth color is selected. With this resin, the teeth are shaped, and filled. In the end, the fracture is treated successfully. With this method, the broken tooth is treated in a very short time.

Root Canal

If the fractured tooth damages the tooth root or causes infection, root canal treatment is preferred. Root canal treatment does not directly treat tooth fractures. However, it eliminates the problems that occur and may occur due to the fracture.

During root canal treatment, the inflammation in the area is cleaned and the root canals are reshaped with special tools. In this way, the problem is eliminated before the situation worsens and tooth loss occurs.

Laminated Veneer

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Laminated veneers are porcelain veneers placed only on the front surface of the teeth. It is one of the most painless ways to treat tooth fractures. Especially individuals who have broken front teeth often prefer this procedure.

In laminated veneer treatment, the impression taken is sent to the laboratory and a veneer thin like a leaf is prepared specifically for the patient. It is almost impossible to distinguish these veneers from natural teeth. Laminated veneers are compatible with natural tooth tissue. This is why they can be used for many years when the patient takes good care of their teeth.

Dental Crowns

Another treatment method most commonly used in cases of tooth fracture is dental crowns. In this treatment, the patient's broken tooth is trimmed. The crowns, which are specially prepared for the patient in the laboratory by taking the tooth impression, are placed so as to completely surround the trimmed tooth. Thanks to crown treatment, the tooth fracture is treated. Cavities in the tooth are cleaned if there are any. The tooth color is equalized in the end. It is one of the common treatments for patients with one or more broken teeth.

You can check out: Restorative Dentistry

Treatment of broken teeth varies according to the type and size of the fracture. For this reason, determining the right treatment is important in terms of eliminating future problems in advance and providing healthy teeth to the patient. Broken tooth treatment is planned and applied by specialist physicians in our clinic. You can get more detailed information about the treatment by contacting us.

FAQ

What to do after a tooth fracture?

When you break a tooth, you should put the broken pieces in a clean container if you can find it and take it to your dentist. In addition, you should clean the broken tooth area with warm water. If you have broken a tooth as a result of trauma, you should apply ice to the area. This will relieve swelling and redness.

Can a broken tooth be fixed?

Yes, it is possible. Once it is determined why and to what extent the tooth is fractured, your dentist will decide the right treatment method.

What happens if a broken tooth is left untreated?

Tooth fractures may seem harmless at first, but if left untreated, they can cause serious problems such as tooth loss and infection. Bacterial growth increases around the broken tooth. This can lead to tooth apsis and infection. In addition, the fracture line can reach the nerves over time and may require root canal treatment.