What to do when your Tooth broke? Despite the increased strength, originally designed to resist significant mechanical stress that occurs when eating, the likelihood of damage to the elements of the dentition still remains. No person is immune from such a problem, so the main thing is to make the right decisions to help avoid dire consequences. Restoring the functionality and aesthetics of the dentition is the task of dentists of specialized clinics “Dentika”, who have at their disposal not only a variety of tools and materials but also professional knowledge that ensures a competent choice of a treatment plan, as well as compiling a list of restorative and preventive procedures. What to do if part of the tooth broke off and fell out – a small piece, or half at once, why does the enamel chip, and how does the treatment of chipped front incisors and back molars help restore the natural beauty of a smile? Now let’s figure everything out.
General view
In dental practice, there are several possible reasons for the violation of the integrity of the crowns. These include:
- Excessive force is caused by impact, collision, or fall.
- Deterioration of the strength characteristics of the structure against the background of a decrease in immunity.
- Failure to comply with the requirements for orthodontic correction.
- Hormonal abnormalities associated with chronic pathologies.
- The predominance of harmful, excessively hard, or viscous foods in the diet.
- Systematic temperature fluctuations, including against the background of bad habits.
- The presence of diseases that affect the dental tissue and cause demineralization.
- Abnormal formation and development of the jaw structure.
- Imbalance of the acid-base environment, deformation of seals, formation of microcracks, etc.
Each of these factors, to a greater or lesser extent, affects the state of the elements of the upper and lower rows. The choice of means for repairing a tooth break largely depends on the primary source of the problem, as well as on the general indications of the clinical picture, determined by the results of preliminary diagnostics.
Tooth Broke Symptoms
Among the signs that appear at the preliminary stage of the development of the pathological condition, and indicate the need to visit the dentist, including the:
- The appearance of barely noticeable cracks on the surface of the enamel coating.
- Loosening and falling out of a previously installed filling.
- Pain caused by exposure or compression of nerve endings.
- Increased susceptibility to temperature changes.
Unfortunately, many patients prefer to postpone their visit to the clinic until the last moment, demonstrating willpower or suppressing pain with the help of analgesics. Such a decision can hardly be considered optimal – with a prolonged development of pathology, it is likely that you will have to think not about how to treat caries or strengthen enamel, but about what to do with the restoration of a chipped front tooth, which also hurts.
Tooth Broke Types
The criterion for dividing problem states into several categories is the depth of the crown injury. Based on the degree of destruction of the structure, 3 subspecies are distinguished.
Chips and microcracks
They affect only the outer layer of hard tissues, without spreading to the dentin, and without causing pain. To eliminate defects, local intervention is sufficient, aimed at restoring the original shape of the enamel coating.
Fractures of the dentinal segment
Deeper destruction is characterized by both severe symptoms and its complete absence. Without timely medical intervention, they lead to the gradual crumbling of the crown, falling apart into small pieces. Accompanied by both physical and psychological inconvenience, especially when it comes to the frontal elements of the row.
Deep fracture with damage to the pulp chamber
Severe and painful injury requiring urgent professional attention. Advice on what to do if a large piece half the size of the lower back molar has fallen off, or the front upper tooth broke off at the root, and the nerve hurts so that not a single anesthetic helps, there can be only one – immediately consult a doctor. The presence of an open area increases the risk of infection, and the development of inflammatory and other pathological processes, the treatment of which will be long and difficult.
General recommendations
When you find a problem, don’t panic. Light damage is eliminated at the initial stage of development, so you should postpone all business for a while and make an appointment at a dental clinic.
Diagnostics allows you to assess the current state of the oral cavity, identify hidden prerequisites for tissue damage, and draw up a treatment plan that meets the main goal – restoring the attractiveness and functionality of the dentition. If current circumstances do not yet allow you to visit a qualified doctor, it is recommended to take measures that will help minimize possible negative consequences.
What to do with a chipped tooth at home
First aid is designed primarily to reduce discomfort, relieving the patient from pain. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Rinse your mouth with clean water.
- Apply a cold compress to relieve swelling of the area of inflammation.
- Localize bleeding with a sterile bandage.
- Take an anesthetic, taking into account medical contraindications.
It should be noted that the separated fragment is not recommended to be thrown away. Hard tissue – provided that it is preserved – should be shown to the dentist. The condition and structure of the element can help determine the reason why a piece of tooth broke off and the nerve hurts – how the crown will be treated depends largely on the specifics of the injury. In addition, in some cases, it is allowed to use a fragment in a subsequent recovery.
Emergency measures
In difficult situations, characterized by severe painful symptoms, profuse bleeding, and the formation of many small fragments, it is first of all important to remove from the oral cavity all sharp particles that can damage mucous tissues or enter the esophagus. Cold and analgesics help to stop the pain. In the presence of an antiseptic, rinsing with a solution of low concentration should be carried out – furatsilin, chlorhexidine, or another composition with sparing properties will do.
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Tooth broke treatment
Restoration of a chipped front tooth broke is a procedure, the implementation of which involves the use of various techniques:
- Artistic restoration using composite materials – allowed with minor defragmentation.
- Microprosthetics using veneers and lumineers – fixation of thin ceramic overlays that mask defects.
Insertion of inlays is recommended for injuries from chewing elements, returning the natural shape of the crown. - Prosthetics – used in situations where most of the unit is missing.
The final choice is determined both by the degree of damage and the indications of the clinical picture. Let us dwell in more detail on the most practical options suitable for solving actual dental problems.
Tooth Broke Recovery Methods
The list of factors that are taken into account when deciding what to do if a piece of the tooth is chipped or the floor of the anterior crown is broken off includes the degree of damage, the results of the diagnosis, and a general assessment of the state of the oral cavity, the presence of a history of chronic pathologies, as well as the financial resources available in the patient’s disposal. Among the options offered by the specialists of Dentika dental centers, the following treatment methods should be noted.
Remineralization
The best way to restore minor defects. Applying a solution with a special composition to the enamel is recommended to eliminate small cracks and local deformations, as well as a preventive method aimed at strengthening tissues.
Fluoridation
Another method of external processing, only in this case, gels and varnishes are characterized by a high content of fluorine. The course is carried out sequentially, in several stages, and is also focused on minor injuries.
Building
How to restore a front tooth broke that has chipped off a little, and what to do if the enamel is chipped along with part of the dentin? Such injuries are classified as moderate, so the correction will require a lot of effort. The natural shape of the crown is restored using a composite paste, which is applied in layers to the problem area and fixed by polymerization.
Filling and micro prosthetics
Methods recommended for significant injuries of the bone structure, accompanied by the destruction of the pulp, and possible damage to the nerve endings. Among the available options are the formation of a cavity and the placement of a filling, the installation of an inlay, or the masking of defects with veneers or lumineers used to restore the incisors of the smile zone. It is worth noting that if the tooth is split and hurts, and the total area of the lost tissue exceeds two-thirds of the original volume, the doctor’s recommendation will be the extraction of the remaining fragment and subsequent prosthetics, either using implantation technology or by installing a replacement orthopedic structure.
Specificity of treatment
The indications of the clinical picture determine the features of the approach, which differs in each of the possible cases.
Incisors, canines and premolars
In addition to pain and impairment of the functional state, injuries in this group are also problematic because the units are located in the smile zone. If the front tooth is chipped, it is always noticeable to others and can cause certain psychological inconveniences to the patient.
With minor defects, local artistic restoration is allowed, but if up to half of the volume is lost, either veneers or artificial crowns are used to restore the shape. Modern materials have an aesthetic appearance and are almost indistinguishable from natural enamel, so there will be no problems with maintaining an attractive smile.
Molars
The side and rear elements of the row are less demanding on visual characteristics, but at the same time, they are subjected to greater mechanical stress since they are responsible for chewing food. For restoration, fillings or inlays made of durable materials are suitable.
Dairy units
A temporary set serves a person only at a certain stage of growing up, but this does not mean that the problems that arise with it can be ignored. Damage creates a springboard for pathologies, and those, in turn, with prolonged development, cover both periodontal tissues and the rudiments of indigenous “changers” located inside the jaw.
Wisdom teeth
Erupted later than others, the “eight”, as a rule, are not considered among the contenders for restoration. The procedure has no practical meaning, since the elements are not involved in the chewing cycle, do not perform any functions of the jaw apparatus, and are not visible to others. Extraction is carried out without the subsequent installation of prostheses.
Vertical crack
The appearance of a barely noticeable thin strip in the enamel structure, which, at first glance, does not create any particular inconvenience, is in fact a sign of cracking, which, under excessive mechanical stress, can cause damage not only to external but also to internal tissues. The destruction of the pulp in most cases excludes the preservation of nerve endings. The lack of natural nutrition leads to the darkening of the dentin so in the end the incisor will have to be changed to a prosthetic structure.
Tooth broke Complications
Speaking about why and for what reason pieces of the tooth broke off and enamel is chipped, and what to do if the entire damaged area hurts, one should also not forget about the possible consequences that arise in the absence of proper medical intervention. Timely treatment helps prevent further deterioration of the jaw region, not only contributing to the restoration of visual aesthetics and functionality but also eliminating the possibility of:
- Row shifts and malocclusion.
- The curvature of the root sections.
- Increasing susceptibility to external factors.
- Development of dental pathologies, including caries and pulpitis.
Complications have a significant impact on the general well-being of the patient, often cover those adjacent to the injured unit, and adversely affect the ability to lead a normal life. In addition, diseases of the oral cavity entail problems in other functional areas of the human body. Thus, a decrease in the quality of food processing leads to violations of the natural cycles of the gastrointestinal tract, and periodic exacerbations of painful sensations affect the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Competent treatment, as well as strict adherence to medical recommendations together help to avoid such consequences.
Prevention
To prevent chipped enamel or damage to hard tissues, a number of simple rules can be followed, which can be followed by both adults and children:
- Hygiene care procedures should be performed daily, morning and evening.
- It is necessary to undergo an examination of the state of the oral cavity at least once every six months.
- Identified caries, like other diseases, must be treated without delay.
- The diet should be healthy and balanced.
- When practicing contact sports, it is important to take care of the use of protection.
- Abnormal bite development is best corrected during adolescence.
- The deposition of plaque and tartar is a reason for professional cleaning.
- Bad habits, including the love of too-hard food, should be abandoned.
The elements of dentition are one of the most frequently subjected to mechanical stress components of the human body. Neglect of hygiene standards and daily care rules are the main causes of injuries and injuries that cause significant inconvenience at any age. You should not delay until the last visit to the clinic, especially in cases where the problem area is seriously sore – knowing how a broken front or back tooth is treated, it will be much easier to transfer the restoration.