Restorative Dentistry Options to Fix a Broken Tooth

A broken or chipped tooth is not considered a dental emergency, but still, it is not comfortable because it can prevent you from doing normal activities like smiling or eating. Eating hard foods like candies or ice cubes, falling, suffering dental traumas, or developing cavities are a few of the major reasons why teeth break.

The good news is that thanks to the application of cutting-edge technology, contemporary dentistry can solve the majority of dental issues including broken teeth.  If a patient has a broken or cracked tooth, all they need to do is consult a dentist as soon as they can. The dentist will expertly advise them on the best course of action to address the issue. In this blog post, we will delve more into why teeth get broken, the types, their impacts, and the ways to treat this issue. 

Image illustrating a man with a broken tooth

Why do people get cracked or broken teeth?

The enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that will protect them from any damage and harm. Still, this tissue can be broken or cracked, in many ways. Like playing sports without guarding your teeth, chewing on hard objects, or even having an accident. Consuming particular foods or beverages, such as hard candies, ice, citrus, coffee, dried fruit, potato chips, soda, alcohol, and sports drinks, can also harm your teeth and cause them to chip or shatter. This occurs due to the fact that cavities and dental decay can weaken teeth, making them more likely to shatter while eating hard chewie foods. Some of the major factors that cause teeth to break are:

Physical Damage and Injury

Teeth can be broken while playing sports or in accidents and in these cases, they are considered a physical dental injury. This is more common with people who play sports and don’t use mouthguards. So if you play any sports you can minimize the chances of your teeth breaking by 99%. If it happens during an accident, there is no way to prevent it, you just have to find the right way to treat it. 

Tooth Decay

The entire tooth’s structure becomes weakened by dental caries which occur over time; the bacterial metabolism of carbohydrates results in the creation of acid, which leads to the loss of tooth material (enamel and dentine). Advanced stages of dental caries can cause discomfort, infections, abscesses, or even sepsis. Early stages are typically symptomless but they increase the likelihood that the teeth may fracture and chip easier. Tooth loss and fractures are among the major dental issues that can result from untreated decay. To avoid tooth decay, it is always important to practice proper oral hygiene and have frequent dental exams to prevent it from developing.

Bite Damage

You should know that the tooth enamel is really strong but it is not unbreakable. Some people like to chew on hard objects as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. Even though our teeth are really strong and we can chew on hard foods, you should be careful, because they will break. 

Bruxism or Teeth Grinding

People who suffer from bruxism or teeth-grinding are more prone to experience broken or chipped teeth because of the pressure applied. These conditions are caused by stress and anxiety, so you should take this into consideration. If you are able to do so try to refrain from similar and triggering situations that may make the problem worse. Consult your dentist to find the right solution for your problem, they may advise you to keep a night guard to prevent further damage to your teeth. 

Image illustrating a proper dental hygiene

Poor Dental Hygiene

It is important to keep proper dental hygiene if you want stronger teeth. You should floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you neglect these practices, you are more prone to suffer from chipped and broken teeth. You should also know that improper brushing and flossing can cause tooth abrasion. To avoid damaging the tooth enamel the dentist advises you to use a soft-bristled brush and fluorine tooth products especially if you have weak teeth due to genetics.

DIY Procedures

If not done properly by professionals, dental procedures can cause a lot of damage to the structure of your teeth. Procedures like root canals and dental fillings require the expertise of a trained dentist because they are crucial for our oral health. 

Natural Tendency of Aging

You should know that teeth will start to weaken as you get older. This is inevitable, and they will be more prone to break or chip over time. 

Types of cracked teeth

Teeth can be cracked in several ways, some of which are: 

  • Craze lines: These are microscopic fissures that only impact the outer part of the enamel. They are more common in adults. They are not a huge concern because they will not damage the structure of the teeth and will not cause any pain. However, if the look of it still bothers you, there are ways to treat it. 
  • Fractured cusp: A fractured cusp is what is left behind after a portion of a tooth’s chewing surface breaks off. Usually, it doesn’t hurt all that much and it can be filled to prevent any further damage. 
  • Cracked tooth: When a tooth is fractured, it indicates that a crack runs vertically from the chewing surface to the root. In order to save the tooth in this situation, early detection is crucial. If a broken tooth is not fixed, it will deteriorate over time and may eventually fall out. Saving damaged teeth requires quick action.
  • Split tooth: When the cracked tooth is not treated it can result in a split tooth.  It is identified by a crack with distinct segments that can be separated. A split tooth cannot be saved so it has to be treated by an implant or a root canal.
  • Vertical root fracture: The cracks start at the tooth’s root and move toward the chewing surface. They frequently exhibit little symptoms and indicators. They are frequently found when the gum and bone around them get infected.

Image illustrating sensitivity from a broken tooth

Impact of Chipped or Broken Teeth on Oral Health

Having a damaged tooth can impact your oral health in general and also damage your self-confidence. But keep in mind that a chipped or broken tooth affects more than just your appearance; it also affects your social life. Several effects on oral health can also be caused by cracked or chipped teeth, including:

Increased risk of tooth decay and tooth loss

A chipped or broken tooth can increase the risk of tooth loss and decay by trapping food particles that are hard to remove. This can lead to an infection that will result in tooth loss and tooth decay. 

Pain and Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth discomfort and sensitivity to hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages are two signs that a fractured tooth needs to be taken care of. Another symptom linked to this cause is having unexpected bursts of pain.

Gum Irritation and Injury 

Sometimes when a tooth is broken it can create sharp edges that can injure the gum, which will lead to further inflammation and bleeding. In this case, the tooth should be treated to prevent further damage. 

Image illustrating difficulty eating due to a broken tooth

Difficulty eating and speaking

Depending on which tooth is broken, a chipped or broken tooth can impact the way you speak, chew, and eat. This can impact your diet and can also lead to malnutrition, so it should be treated as soon as possible. 

Risk of infection

If a broken or fractured tooth gets infected it can cause pain, swelling, and other issues if it is not addressed right away. Therefore, in addition to fixing your self-assured grin, it’s critical to get dental care for a chipped or broken tooth very away. This is to stop more harm from happening and to guarantee overall healthy dental health.

Image illustrating dental treatments in Albania for fixing a broken tooth

8 Dental Procedures to Repair Your Cracked or Broken Tooth

Composite bonding

Composite bonding is a non-invasive procedure that is used to treat small fractures or teeth breaks. During this procedure, the dentist will make a mixture of plastic and glass to repair damage to the damage that is done to the tooth. They will try to make it in the same color to match your teeth and make them look as natural as possible. Composite bonding fixes the injured tooth in just one visit and takes around an hour to finish. The tooth being treated does not require any long-term modifications before the composite is applied. The dentist only uses an etching solution to roughen it before layering on the composite. The process is completed by polishing it once it has been UV-hardened. This is a simple procedure that provides the right solution for your case. 

Crown

Crowns are another way to fix broken teeth. They will cover the entire structure making this the right solution if the teeth are severely broken, restoring the shape and the appearance. Crowns can be made from different materials such as ceramic, porcelain, or metal and they will last for a long time. Between dental specialists, this is considered the safest procedure to fix fractured and damaged teeth. 

Veneers

Veneers are composite resin or porcelain shells that have been colored to match your natural teeth. In the realm of cosmetic dentistry, they are quite well-liked. They can be used to hide fractured teeth or to make your smile look better. You can address both dental and cosmetic issues by having this treatment done. 

Dental implant

It is a lengthy process used to repair fractured teeth, especially those that are close to the gum line.  Dentists repair an implant and remove the fractured tooth in a straightforward procedure.

Root canal

Infectious pulp may form in the tooth’s empty area in the case of cracked or fractured teeth.  In such cases, dentists recommend a root canal for the treatment of shattered teeth.  To stop the infection from spreading, the dentist will first remove the infection and then install the crown.

Filling

One of the safest dental procedures used by dentists to repair fractured teeth is fillings. The dentist uses restorative material to temporarily restore teeth that are fractured or broken. If a cavity has developed in your tooth, the dental procedure is advantageous. It is inexpensive and painless.

Dental sealants

Dental sealants shield your broken and diseased teeth and are perfect for filling in tooth holes.  Additionally, sealants serve as a barrier against germs that erode teeth and cause cavities. Your dentist applies a dental sealant to the posterior surfaces of your premolars and moral teeth.

Image illustrating a dentist in Albania working on a patient with a broken tooth

Preventive Dental Care

Dentists stress to their patients the need for preventative dental care. For this reason, the following are the most crucial factors that you should keep in mind when you take proper care of your oral and dental health.

To avoid chipped and broken teeth:

  • Avoid chewing on candy, ice, and other tough foods. 
  • If you play in contact sports, use mouthguards to lessen the risk of dental harm. 
  • Use night guards if you grind your teeth at night or have bruxism. 

Guides for proper oral hygiene:

  • To prevent cavities and tooth decay, brush your teeth for two minutes, three times a day, using toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  • To avoid causing damage to your teeth, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
  • To get rid of embedded debris in the spaces between your teeth, floss in the right way.

Keep in mind that maintaining appropriate dental hygiene on a daily basis will help you avoid future health issues.

 Benefits of regular dental checkups

Check your teeth at least twice a year for routine cleaning and examinations to make sure they are in the greatest possible health. You should also attend your routine dental checks, which are 100% effective, and work as a safeguard against any dental issues.

Benefits of Prompt Dental Treatment

In the event that you accidentally break a tooth, emergency dental care leads to effective clinical management, which reduces the risk of pain and infection. Emergency dentists are always available to do dental bonding, veneers, and crowns, among other required dental operations, to restore your damaged tooth. These preventative dental care suggestions are generally helpful for everyone. By taking these preventative steps, you may protect yourself from additional potential sources of dental injury and damage while still maintaining the best possible oral health.

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