Broken tooth in London
Emergency Broken Tooth in London
London’s No. 1 dental center offers innovative solutions to restore the function and aesthetics of broken teeth.
A broken tooth is considered an emergency because it impairs function and aesthetics. Additionally, it may cause pain if the fracture exposes the tooth pulp. At the Dental Care Centre, we understand how stressful broken teeth can be. Therefore, we provide same-day emergency appointments during and outside regular working hours.
Causes of a Broken Tooth
Although a tooth is covered by the hardest and most mineralised tissue in the body (Enamel layer), it can still break.
The main reason for a tooth to break is dental caries, which causes undermining of the tooth enamel. When enamel is not supported, it can easily break. Other reasons for broken teeth include:
- trauma from a sharp blow to the teeth,
- biting on hard objects such as crushing ice,
- using your teeth as a tool, and bruxism that puts high stress on the teeth.
Patterns for a Broken Tooth
A broken tooth is not only expressed as a separated tooth structure. Patterns of a broken tooth include:
- Crack: Cracks probably extend only in enamel; they cause no pain but can be aesthetically unacceptable.
- Chipping: A small part of the tooth is broken, either from enamel only or enamel and dentin, which usually requires a conservative cosmetic treatment, such as cosmetic bonding.
- Broken piece: If a part of the tooth is considerably broken, it involves enamel and dentin and may extend into the pulp, causing more pain and requiring more extensive treatment.
- Vertical fracture: A considerable amount of force due to a blow or trauma may cause the tooth to break into halves. It may occur either vertically or horizontally. Both cases are difficult to treat.
Treatment Modalities for a Broken Tooth
Dental Care Centre is a leading dental facility in London using innovative technologies to restore broken teeth. Our dental experts meticulously examine the tooth and develop a treatment plan for restoration and protection against further damage.
If a broken tooth is left untreated, it may cause more serious problems, such as pulp involvement and abscess formation. Additionally, the tooth will be vulnerable and unable to withstand masticatory forces like a healthy tooth, which may lead to further fractures until it becomes irreparable.
The treatment modality depends on the size and extension of the fracture. Broken tooth treatment solutions include:
- Contouring: Slight smoothing of the edges is sufficient if a small part of the tooth is chipped. No further treatments are required if it cause no sensitivity.
- Inlays/Onlays: If a tooth is fractured due to caries, decay is removed, and the tooth can be restored using inlays or onlays. In the case of a broken molar tooth, inlays are used when there is no cusp involvement, while onlays are used when there is a missing cusp.
- Cosmetic bonding: It involves restoring front teeth fractures that do not expose the pulp by bonding tooth-coloured restorations.
- Veneers: Veneers are thin shells of ceramic used to cover the front surface of teeth, similar to artificial nails. They may be used if you prefer a more natural aesthetic restoration for a cracked or fractured front tooth.
- Crown: A crown is a restorative material cap encircling the visible part of the tooth in the oral cavity. If a tooth is weakened due to extensive fracture, a crown is advised to reinforce the remaining tooth structure.
- Root canal treatment: If the fracture extends to involve or expose the pulp tissue, a root canal and crown will be necessary. Root canal treatment is a dental procedure where the pulp tissue is removed, root canal is cleaned and filled. Most commonly, the tooth will require a crown following the root canal treatment to reinforce the remaining tooth structure.
- Extraction: Extraction would be the optimal solution if the fracture results in an un-restorable tooth, such as a vertical root fracture extending to the root. After extraction, the tooth can be replaced using dental implants or a bridge.
FAQs
Dental caries is the most common cause of a broken tooth. A tooth can also break due to trauma, using your teeth as a tool, or experiencing high stresses during clenching.
The symptoms may vary according to the extent of the fracture. A minor fracture or crack may be asymptomatic but aesthetically unpleasant for you. If the crack is deeper or the fracture exposes dentin, you may feel sensitivity to hot and cold and pain on biting. If a larger part of the tooth is fractured, you may experience severe pain as the pulp is exposed or if an abscess develops. The sharp edges of the fracture may cause soft tissue laceration.
Avoid chewing on the broken tooth to prevent further damage. If the tooth has sharp edges due to the fracture, cover it with sugar-free gum to avoid laceration or cutting of the tongue or cheeks, and stick to eating soft foods. If the fracture is accompanied by bleeding, bite on a piece of cotton or gauze and apply an ice pack. Contact us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment to prevent further damage.
According to the severity and extent of the fracture, several treatment options are available, including simple contouring, inlays/onlays, veneers, crowns, root canal treatment, extraction, and tooth replacement.
A painless fractured tooth may indicate a dead pulp, so treatment is essential to prevent dental abscesses and additional damage. Visit our dental experts to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the most suitable treatment.
Untreated broken teeth will always be a source of bacterial colonization and pain. This may lead to infection of the tooth pulp, and the infection may spread to the surrounding bone and soft tissues. Additionally, a broken tooth cannot withstand masticatory forces, which leads to further breakage until the tooth becomes irreparable.
Extraction is the last resort for treatment. A broken tooth can be treated using various modalities such as inlays, crowns, veneers, and root canal treatment.
With proper treatment, a broken tooth can last a long time.
- Perform proper oral hygiene.
- Maintain regular check-up visits to address any early signs of decay.
- Avoid using your teeth as a tool.
- Use a night guard if you are a bruxer.
- Use a mouthguard if you play contact sports or sports with a high incidence of teeth trauma.
The cost of broken teeth treatment depends on the severity of the case and the chosen treatment. Visit our dental experts to learn more about the most suitable treatment options.
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