A broken or chipped tooth can be a traumatic experience. Aside from the pain, it can be a source of stress and worry about the cost of repair. Teeth are one of the only parts of our body that does not regenerate. So if you break or crack a tooth, it will not heal by itself like a wound or a scratch.
But don’t worry – a broken tooth can often be fixed with the help of a dentist. In this article, we will discuss how to fix a broken tooth and provide tips from our principal dentist, Dr Warren, on the best way to repair it.
What causes a chipped tooth?
There are many ways to break a tooth, but some of the most common reasons for a chipped tooth are:
- Clenching or Grinding – This happens if you grind your teeth (bruxism) or rub your teeth against each other, or against opposing dental work during the day or when you are asleep.
- Falling – A fall can cause a break or chip to a tooth.
- A blow to the mouth – This can cause a tooth to chip or crack since the mouth has very little soft tissue to absorb the energy of the impact.
- Extra force when brushing or flossing – This is more common that you think but using a hard tooth brush and brushing as hard as you can will cause more damage than good. Excessive brushing over time can cause your tooth to be worn away (Abrasion). This often occurs with people who haven’t seen a dentist for a long time and they think brushing more will be good enough to prevent any dental problems.
How to tell if your tooth is broken
Common signs of a broken tooth include pain when biting down, increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, a visible crack or chip in the tooth, sharp edges around your tooth, and discolouration of the tooth.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the issue using X-rays or other imaging to determine if a tooth is chipped or cracked. They can also look for any signs of infection, which can lead to further complications if left untreated.
Remember, it is important to visit a dentist right away if you suspect that you have a chippeed tooth. By seeking treatment early, you can prevent any further damage and restore your tooth to its proper condition.
Tips on how to take care of a cracked tooth
Depending on the severity of your chipped tooth, you may need to book an emergency dentist appointment to have it treated right away. If you’re unable to see a dentist right away, below are a few tips to help you avoid further damage to your tooth.
- Don’t chew on your broken tooth, and avoid eating hard or gritty foods which can cause further damage and lead to an infection or other issues.
- Keep your cracked tooth clean to avoid bacteria that can cause infection.
- Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth which can cause a broken tooth to get worse and lead to TMJ.
How to know if you need to fix a chipped tooth
Many people ignore a broken tooth because it’s not painful, and only go to the dentist when it becomes painful, or when it chips more and the tooth becomes really sensitive.
Generally speaking, it’s always advised to see a dentist when you break a tooth! At the end of the day, you don’t want to risk losing a tooth down the line and having to fork out thousands of dollars for an expensive dental implant.
However, sometimes you’re on vacation and your trusted local dentist isn’t around to take a look. So, how do you know if you can leave it alone or your tooth needs repair? Below are the signs a dentist will use to assess the urgency of your chipped tooth repair.
Severity of pain or sensitivity
This is one of the most telling signs as your body has an alarm system that tells you if something is majorly wrong or not. If you’ve cracked your tooth and have a toothache or some form of sensitivity, you need to see the dentist to find out the cause. Some sensitivities are normal, while others require urgent attention.
Location of the chip
A chipped front tooth may not look very nice but because the nerve is usually very high, chipping it often won’t cause any major damage. That is, unless the impact is severe and the tooth is throbbing or painful.
However, frequent chipping of your front teeth is not normal. If you have multiple chips of your front teeth over the many years it’s usually because either there’s a problem with the way you function, for example your bite is not right, or you’re using excess forces either knowingly or unknowingly e.g. you might be grinding your teeth at sleep.
Chipping of a back tooth or a cracked tooth even if it’s not painful can become a major issue. There can be many causes like decay or internal cracks, and without urgent treatment this can lead to either root canals or extractions.
Size of the chip
Smaller chips are usually not as urgent as big chips or cracks. If it’s only a small chip but not painful, see your dentist when you get a chance and don’t wait too long.
Cause of the chip
If you’ve chipped your tooth without excessive force, for example while biting on a piece of soft bread, you should see your dentist urgently as it may be a sign of severe or multiple tooth decay. Without urgent attention, this type of cracked tooth might require a more expensive treatment to fix, such as a root canal or extraction.
On the other hand, if you have chipped your tooth after biting into a fork and the tooth isn’t painful, this may not be as urgent because it doesn’t indicate any underlying problems.
Other considerations
Generally, a toothache or tooth sensitivity will tell you when something is wrong. However, even if there’s no pain, it’s important to visit your dentist to rule out any major issues that could go undiagnosed.
Frequent dental X-Rays or OPGs are recommended because dentists cannot detect all the issues with their naked eye. If you haven’t visited a dentist over the last 6 months It’s always recommended to pay your dentist a visit because prevention is the best form of cure.
How to fix a broken tooth
Once your dentist determines that your tooth is broken, there are generally three treatment options available:
Leave it as it is
Often when a tooth breaks, especially when it’s just a small chip, the tooth won’t hurt and it may be best to leave it as it is. This will depend on the factors mentioned above, including:
- The size and position of the chip
- The cause of the chip
- Whether it’s bacterial infection related, incidental trauma or stress-related fracture
- Whether it’s an aesthetic issue or a functional issue
It is always recommended that you see a dentist to determine whether the chip can be left alone, or whether it should be fixed for long-term benefits. If left alone a chipped tooth may require root canal treatment or the extraction of the tooth.
Dental filling
A basic dental filling is often the treatment of choice for a small chip or a fracture of a tooth. Fillings are generally made from a resin composite material, which are also known as white fillings. These days silver fillings or amalgam filling are no longer taught in dental school due to the advancement of newer and better materials.
Crowns and veneers
If a tooth is significantly compromised because more than 70% of the tooth is lost, or the tooth has had a root canal treatment, then the best treatment option is to protect it with a stronger material such as a porcelain or gold.
In most cases, a chipped tooth can be repaired with a crown. A crown is a dental restoration that is used to replace teeth that are broken, decayed, or too small. A crown is usually made of a resin material and can be tooth-coloured or made of metal.
Sometimes porcelain veneers can be done on the front teeth to maintain the integrity of the tooth, as well as make it look as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Final tips for treating a cracked tooth
Despite all the treatment options available to fix cracked teeth, the best solution is to avoid it in the first place. Teeth are mechanical tools used to break down food, so their degradation is only a matter of time.
Preserving your teeth for as long as possible by looking after your teeth well should always be at the forefront of dental health. If you want to keep your teeth healthy and functional for life, make sure you brush and floss your teeth daily; see a dentist for your regular dental checkup and clean; avoid eating hard foods, and wear a splint at night if you are a teeth grinder.
