Table of contents
What are tooth fractures?
Accidents, sports injuries, traumas can cause tooth fractures. Dental problems such as dental caries and large fillings also trigger tooth fractures. The size of the tooth fracture determines the treatment to be applied. Precautions should be taken in the early period, otherwise the infection and damage may go deeper and tooth loss may occur. For this reason, it is necessary to consult a dentist as soon as possible in case of tooth fractures.
How does a tooth breakage happen?
Tooth fracture can occur in different ways. It can vary from cracking in the outer layer of the tooth, hard tooth enamel to breaking the entire tooth. The fracture size of the tooth determines the intervention.
In traumas in which the hard enamel layer of the tooth is damaged, the patient does not have pain, etc., since the vein and nerve structure are not damaged. However, if structures such as dentin and pulp are damaged and come into contact with outside air, severe pain may occur. If the necessary repair is not done quickly in this area, bacterial growth will occur. Pulp structure is destroyed.
Since the nerve structure has been removed in teeth that have been treated before, especially in which root canal treatment has been applied, there may be no pain in large tooth damage.
Why does the tooth break?
The most common causes of tooth fractures are:
- Age: Many teeth cracks occur at the age of 50 and above.
- Biting into hard foods such as candy, ice, or popcorn kernels.
- Habits such as chewing gum, chewing ice.
- Large fillings or root canals that weaken the tooth.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism).
- Trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, bicycle accidents, car accidents, or physical violence.
Which teeth are broken most often?
All teeth can be broken due to trauma. However, the upper front teeth and lower molars (molars) are broken most often. More than one tooth can be broken in trauma. Teeth with tooth decay, filling or root canal application are at higher risk of fracture.
What are the types of tooth fractures?
Tooth fractures can appear in different ways. It may be a simple crack or there may be fractures in which almost the entire tooth has been separated.
Cracked tooth : These are thin cracks or fractures that occur in the outer hard layer of the tooth, sometimes extending to the gums or tooth root. Tooth integrity is intact. Mostly it doesn’t show any signs. It can be in the form of a voiced line.
Broken tip: Small tip fractures may occur in previously filled or treated teeth. It does not give severe symptoms, there may be mild pain.
Split tooth: These are cracks that can start from the crown part of the tooth and extend to the root part. The tooth is divided into two parts and the integrity of the tooth is broken.
Vertical root fracture: Cracks may occur starting below the gum line and extending towards the bite line. The findings are mild. However, when infected, it can give severe symptoms.
Will a broken or cracked tooth heal on its own?
Broken or cracked teeth do not heal on their own. Early intervention is required. If not intervened, the risk of infection increases and the damage grows.
What should I do if my tooth is broken?
The earlier the intervention in case of tooth fracture, the higher the chance of cure. Here are some things you can do before going to the dentist in case of a broken tooth:
- Collect the broken pieces and place them in a clean, dry container to take to the dentist.
- Clean the remaining part of the tooth from dirt and debris by washing it with warm water.
- If your tooth is broken due to injury, apply an ice compress to the area to prevent swelling.
- If you see yellow dentin or red and exposed pulp in a broken tooth, consult a dentist immediately.
- In mild or advanced fractures, avoid hard foods until the dentist intervenes, and cover the pointed ends of the remaining tooth with a soft substance such as gum to protect the gums.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water to clean your teeth.
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling.
- In cases where the tooth fracture is due to severe trauma, if you have a problem connecting your lower and upper jaw in addition to the tooth fracture, urgent intervention may be required. In this case, there is a possibility that the mandible joint is also damaged.
How is a tooth fracture treated?
Your dentist will present you with the appropriate treatment option for the fracture level of the tooth. Possible treatment options include:
- Bonding : In small tooth fractures, the broken parts are joined with the help of plastic resin.
- Cosmetic shaping : The rough edge is rounded and polished in case of tooth breakage on the edge.
- Crown application: A porcelain or ceramic cap is placed on the broken tooth. It is often used when you do not have enough natural teeth for a veneer.
- Root canal treatment: The damaged pulp is removed to prevent further weakening of the damaged tooth after fracture. This method is mostly used when the fracture extends to the pulp.
- Veneer: In some tooth fractures, a piece of tooth remains large enough to allow intervention. A thin porcelain or plastic coating is made from the front of these teeth.
- Extraction: It may be necessary to completely remove the teeth, where the fracture has seriously damaged the tooth root and nerves, and cannot be saved with other treatment methods. The missing tooth can be filled with different methods.
What can be done to prevent tooth breakage?
Some tooth fractures cannot be prevented, but some precautions will minimize the risk. The measures that can be taken are:
- Avoid chewing hard food or ice.
- Pay attention to oral hygiene. Take good care of your teeth and gums. Do not use a hard brush that will destroy the tooth.
- Have your teeth cleaned.
- Have regular dental checkups.
- Use a mouth guard when doing sports that may experience dental trauma.
- If you have teeth clenching or grinding at night, use a night plate.