Dealing with a broken tooth is never fun, but don’t worry—there are several ways to repair it. Whether you have a small chip or your tooth has been completely shattered, there are professional solutions available to bring your smile back to its former glory. Read on to learn about different ways that you can fix a broken tooth and more.
What Is a Broken Tooth?
A broken tooth is an unfortunate dental injury that no one wants to experience. It can affect a person’s ability to chew and speak normally, as well as disrupt their overall self-confidence in their smile. Broken teeth can occur from biting down on something particularly hard, or they may occur after a trauma like a fall or blow to the face. If a broken tooth is detected, it’s important to seek out professional dental help right away. With early treatment, the damage can be assessed and treated more effectively, restoring the tooth to its natural state and optimal functionality in the process. Explore in more detail.
What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Tooth?
Pain and Discomfort 
A common sign of a broken tooth is pain or discomfort when eating or drinking. This is because the broken parts of the tooth may be exposed to hot or cold temperatures, which can cause sensitivity. You may also experience pain when biting down or chewing food or even just when touching the area with your tongue. If you experience any kind of pain in your mouth that does not go away after a few minutes, it’s best to see a dentist right away.
Visibly Cracked Tooth
Another sign that you may have a broken tooth is if it looks visibly cracked or chipped. This usually happens when there has been an accident or trauma involving your mouth. If your tooth looks visibly cracked, it’s important to get professional help right away, as this could lead to further damage if left untreated.
Tooth Discolouration
Another sign that you may have a broken tooth is discolouration in the affected area. When teeth break, they are exposed to air and bacteria, which can cause discolouration over time. The discoloured area will often appear greyish in colour and may have streaks or lines through it. If you notice any discolouration on your teeth, it’s important to see a dentist immediately for treatment options.
What Are the Common Causes of a Broken Tooth?
Trauma from Accidents or Contact Sports
One of the most common causes of broken teeth is trauma from an accident or contact sport. This can occur when the face receives a direct blow, such as during sports like basketball, football, or wrestling. It can also happen in accidental falls, car accidents, and other activities where there is a significant force applied directly to the face. In some cases of trauma, one or more teeth may be displaced and require emergency dental care.
Biting on Hard Foods and Objects
Another common cause of broken teeth is biting down on hard foods or objects—such as ice cubes, hard candies, popcorn kernels, or pens—that are too tough for teeth to handle. While most adults understand not to bite down on these items with their front teeth, chewing on harder foods can still apply enough pressure to weaken back molars and lead to fractures.
Poor Oral Health Habits
The final common cause of broken teeth is poor oral health habits. Cavities weaken tooth structure over time and leave them vulnerable to fractures when exposed to pressure from hard foods or activities like grinding your teeth at night (bruxism). To keep your chances of getting a cavity-caused fracture low, make sure you brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss every day before bedtime. Additionally, visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings will help maintain optimal oral health.
How to Fix a Broken Tooth?
1. Dental Bonding
If the fracture is minor and does not affect any of the underlying structures of the tooth, then dental bonding may be an option for you. This procedure involves repairing the broken portion of the tooth with materials that look and feel natural. In most cases, this process can be done in one visit, making it an attractive option for those who want a quick solution.
2. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are shells of ceramic material that are used to cover the front surface of teeth. Veneers can be used when there’s only slight damage or discolouration on the front side of your teeth—or if you’re looking for an overall cosmetic enhancement of your smile.
3. Dental Crowns
A dental crown is typically a cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth in order to restore its shape and strength. Crowns can be made from porcelain, metal alloys, or even resin composite materials depending on what is needed for your particular case.
4. Onlays/Inlays
An onlay or inlay is similar to a crown, but they cover only part of the visible portion of the tooth rather than all of it as a crown does. They are typically used when there is mild-to-moderate damage at the top surface level, and they help strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure while also restoring aesthetics and function at the same time.
5. Root Canal Therapy
If there is severe decay or infection present inside your broken tooth, then root canal treatment may be necessary in order to save it from extraction due to irreparable damage caused by bacteria or trauma. During this procedure, diseased tissue will be removed from within the root canal and replaced with an inert material before sealing off access points with temporary filling material until permanent restoration can be completed at a later date once healing has occurred properly from within the pulp chamber itself (the soft tissue located inside each tooth root).
6. Dental Implant
When other procedures just aren’t enough for chipped or broken teeth due to extensive tooth decay or trauma, then implants may need to be considered as an alternative solution for replacing missing teeth permanently without having them extracted from their socket entirely first (which usually requires more invasive surgery).
Teeth implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone where missing teeth were once located so that new prosthetic teeth may be attached to them securely after healing has taken place around these posts.
7. Dental Bridge
A dental bridge can be a great way to restore your smile when a tooth has been broken or otherwise compromised. The procedure for getting a bridge typically involves having the dentist shape and prepare the surrounding teeth to act as support for the bridge, creating an artificial replacement from composite materials or porcelain. With proper care and maintenance, you can have your beautiful and confident smile back in no time! It’s important to remember that just like any other tooth, the bridge needs to be brushed and flossed regularly on a daily basis. If you’re considering fixing your cracked or broken tooth with a dental bridge, consult with your dentist to discuss the right option for you and make sure that your smile will last for years to come.
Fix Your Chipped or Broken Tooth At Dapto Dentists
At Dapto Dentists, our top priority is your dental health. We understand how important it is that your teeth look and feel their best; that’s why we offer an array of treatments to meet all of your needs. From fillings to cleanings and root canals to crowns and bridges, we provide excellent care in a comfortable environment. Our team of highly trained professionals know that a broken or chipped tooth can cause pain, discomfort, and hassle. That’s why we are dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for our patients by offering comprehensive procedures for repairing cracked teeth. From composite bonding to veneers, Dapto Dentists guarantees the successful restoration of healthy smiles with maximum accuracy. Call us today at (02) 4062 8724, and let us help you get back your beautiful smile!
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
Fractured Tooth (Cracked Tooth)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21628-fractured-tooth-cracked-tooth
