A good dentist will always do his or her best to fix or repair a broken tooth. In the majority of cases, broken teeth can be fixed; the appropriate treatment will depend on the extent of the damage. Some cases, however, may warrant the services of an emergency dentist. If you think you have a dental emergency, please contact us immediately or visit your nearest clinic for urgent care. In this article, we will address how can broken teeth be fixed, and the potential treatments that could be used.
What To Do With A Broken Tooth?
Sometimes you may be aware of a crack or fracture occurring when eating. At other times, a crack can be tiny and go unnoticed for some time. If you realise that you have broken a tooth, the best thing to do is to rinse your mouth with a warm saline solution to try and keep it clean. Contact your emergency dentist immediately for an appointment. Broken teeth will not self-resolve and can lead to complications if they are left untreated.
If you experience pain or swelling, try over-the-counter pain medication for temporary relief.
Can Broken Teeth Be Fixed?
Fixing Cracked Or Broken Teeth
If a small portion of your dental enamel has been cracked, your dentist may be able to repair it with dental bonding or filling material. Dental fillings are usually performed on fractured or damaged back teeth. If you have chipped a tooth at the front of your mouth, your dentist is likely to use resin to bond it.
Repairing Broken Teeth With Dental Crowns
Also called dental caps, crowns are tooth-shaped covers that are placed over a tooth to protect it from future damage or decay. A crown uses your natural tooth as a support structure. Your dentist may file away any rough edges or decay first or build the natural tooth up if a lot of surface area has been lost.
Your dentist is likely to do an x-ray first, to make sure that the tooth root is not infected or damaged. Next, an impression will be taken of your tooth, and this will be sent away to a dental laboratory to make the crown. Once it is ready, you will return for the fitting.
Fixing A Broken Tooth With Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells or covers typically placed over front teeth to cover imperfections. They can conceal cracks, chips, and fractures to give you a symmetrical smile. In order to accommodate dental veneers, your dentist will first remove a small portion of your dental enamel before taking an impression of your teeth.
Once your dental veneers are ready, you will return for your fitting, and any adjustments can be made.
Saving A Tooth With Root Canal Therapy
Sometimes when a chip or fracture has been present for a while, and bacteria have penetrated its surface, you can develop an infection in the pulp of your tooth. When the pulp is diseased or damaged, it needs to be removed. Root canal therapy can be performed to remove the diseased pulp but still preserve your natural tooth, saving you the need for a tooth replacement later on.
In order to do a root canal treatment, your dentist will drill a hole in the surface of the tooth and remove the pulp along with any bacteria and debris. Once this is done, the tooth canals will be sealed to prevent future infections. A dental crown will be placed over the tooth to protect it against future infection.
What To Do With A Knocked-Out Tooth?
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. Contact your dentist immediately and try to stop the bleeding. If possible, try to find the tooth, keep it clean and take it with you to your appointment.
Broken Tooth Complications
Getting immediate dental assistance is the best way to safeguard yourself against unwanted complications. Not treating broken teeth can lead to infections, the development of abscesses, and potentially losing the tooth. Sometimes, a root canal cannot be performed, and a broken tooth may need to be extracted.
Some of the signs of cracked, fractured or chipped teeth include
- Swelling in the area around the tooth
- Unexplained pain, especially when biting down
- Temperature sensitivity
Sometimes it is possible to have damaged a tooth and not be aware of it. This is another reason why it’s important to visit your dentist twice a year. While you might not be aware of what is going on in the back of your mouth, your dentist will be able to spot small problems before they become bigger concerns. Ignoring the signs and symptoms of a broken or chipped tooth can cause more discomfort and result in more expensive treatments.
If you are still wondering ‘can broken teeth be fixed’ it’s best to consult a professional. Please contact us for an appointment with our emergency dentist: (02) 9158 6211.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Repairing a Chipped or Broken Tooth
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/repairing-a-chipped-or-broken-tooth
What to Do If You Chip or Break a Tooth
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-fix-a-chipped-tooth
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