Dental health is very important to overall well-being. However, a common problem that can occur in both youth and adults are broken teeth caused by cavities or falls.
Can a partially broken tooth be saved? Fortunately, yes! In most cases, even quite easily with a crown, an implant or a dental bridge.
In this article, our dental experts advise you on the steps to take when you break a tooth.
Why did my half my tooth break off?
There are many reasons why your tooth may break in half. An untreated cavity or a devitalized tooth are often mentioned as frequent causes. These phenomena are quite common if you don’t follow the right recommendations from a professional. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist frequently!
Your tooth could also break while eating or biting too hard into food. In addition to these causes, a chipped tooth can be due to a jaw trauma following a fall or a blow. Bruxism is also a common reason why you might break a tooth.
What to do with a broken tooth piece?
After breaking a tooth, you must act quickly and take the following precautions before certain damages become irreversible. For more information, it is always recommended to contact an emergency dentist.
Keep the broken part of your tooth
The first thing to do when a tooth breaks off is to keep the broken piece. It can be the whole tooth or only a part of it. Place this fragment in a fabric-protected container for example. Just make sure the inside of the container is sterile.
You can also put the broken tooth in a saline solution or in physiological serum that you can find in pharmacies and drugstores.
If you can leave the chipped tooth in contact with your saliva while you wait for your dental appointment, this remains the best option to preserve it! However, be careful not to swallow it.
Make an emergency appointment with a dentist
As we said, when one of your teeth breaks, it is essential to make an emergency appointment with your dentist. Contact a professional within 24 hours after your tooth has fallen out.
The sooner you make an appointment, the sooner your dentist will be able to offer you emergency treatment and repair your tooth. This contact is also the best way to avoid further complications with the root or the dental pulp.
Relieve pain temporarily
A broken tooth can be very painful. If you want to temporarily relieve the pain while waiting for your appointment, it is possible. To do so, you can first apply a cold compress for about fifteen minutes on the painful cheek.
If the pain associated with your chipped tooth is too intense, you can take an anti-inflammatory medication that contains ibuprofen. Be careful to follow the prescribed dosage, even if the pain is very severe.
Treatments for a broken tooth
In order to save the broken tooth, your dentist will first take x-rays of your jaw to establish a precise diagnosis. This will allow him or her to propose solutions adapted to your situation.
To treat a broken tooth, there are several options depending on the degree of damage caused to your mouth. Your dentist can suggest three treatments.
If the dental pulp is not affected
If the breakage of your tooth only affects the upper part of the tooth, your dentist may be able to reattach the chipped tooth fragment. Of course, this is only possible if you have retained the tooth tip in an optimal way. If not, a replica of the missing piece will be shaped and fixed with an ultra-resistant resin.
If the dental pulp is affected
If the breakage of your tooth has reached the pulpitis, then your dentist will have to devitalize the affected tooth. This means that a root canal treatment will have to be performed. This action will consolidate the devitalized tooth and the missing part by placing a dental crown for example.
If the break reaches the root of the tooth
If the break is deep enough and has reached the root of your tooth, then your dentist will have no choice but to perform a tooth extraction. Three treatment options will be considered following the surgery:
- A crown placement on dental implant;
- A removable partial denture placement;
- A fixed implant bridge
Recent advances in dental restoration
In recent years, dental restoration techniques have evolved considerably. Dentists now have access to more aesthetic and durable materials, such as hybrid ceramics and new-generation composite resins, which perfectly mimic the natural color and transparency of teeth. In addition, digital technologies (3D impressions, computer-aided design, and 3D printing) make it possible to fabricate crowns or veneers in a single appointment, reducing treatment time and discomfort for the patient.
Preventing tooth fractures through better habits
Prevention plays a key role in avoiding tooth fractures. In addition to regular visits to the dentist, it is recommended to adopt rigorous oral hygiene habits, wear a protective mouthguard in cases of bruxism, and avoid biting into foods that are too hard (ice, candy, etc.). Experts also remind us that staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet helps maintain enamel strength. Finally, an annual dental checkup can often detect weakness before it turns into a fracture.
Contact Clinique Dentaire 1935 to fix a broken tooth
In summary, if you break a tooth, you need to act quickly. To do this, keep the broken piece of your tooth and make an appointment with your dentist. Don’t try to fix a broken tooth yourself!
The team at Clinique Dentaire 1935 is aware of the importance of a chipped tooth, and that is why we provide you with quick turnaround times to help you get your best smile back. If you have any further questions, feel free to call us!