So, you’ve broken or chipped a tooth. The first thing you may do is worry about how the damage to it will be fixed, if even possible at all. You may also wonder what you can do to prevent it from getting any worse and/or how to deal with the pain right away.
So, can a broken tooth be fixed? Read on for the solutions to your questions.
What to do first
When you first break a tooth, you should rinse your mouth immediately with warm water to clean the damaged area. If it is bleeding, you can apply pressure to it, and if it is inflamed and painful, you can apply a cold compress as best as you can. If you can find chipped tooth pieces, clean them and save them for a trip to the dentist later; if you have completely lost a tooth straight from the socket, take it with you to the dentist as soon as possible, preferably within hours of the break.
In the meantime of getting an appointment with a chipped tooth, you can apply dental wax over the broken edges of your tooth to reduce further damage to either it or your mouth. If pain isn’t relieved by cold compresses, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever or also apply numbing cream or oil to the affected area.
What will need to be fixed (or won’t)
The second thing you’ll want to focus on after the break is how serious the damage to your tooth is. Of course, it can be difficult to judge the extent on your own, so it’s always best to see a dentist no matter the seriousness; however, some cracks are pretty common and do not require a fix. For example, small breaks in tooth enamel, called craze lines, are one of these.
Deeper cracks, though, can create several issues if not repaired professionally. Besides pain, they can create infections that lead to complications in areas of the body outside of the mouth. It’s important not to dismiss chipped teeth, no matter how small the chips are.
How teeth can be fixed
When there is a minor chip in your tooth, a dentist can fix it easily with polishing and/or bonding—techniques for smoothing out the broken surfaces. This is also where your saved chipped pieces come in; a dentist can sometimes reattach chips with bonding, and if not, a medium that’s colored like the tooth can be shaped and used instead.
When the break extends deeper than just the surface, a root canal may be needed, which will prevent infection. However, if a root canal does not work, or the tooth is split in half, extraction will probably be used, and you can replace the tooth with an implant.
Now, can a broken tooth be fixed? In all cases, yes, something can be done to help you, and you can schedule an appointment with us at North View Dental to get the help that you need. We always provide a comfortable atmosphere for patients, and our professional office would love to hear from you. Contact us today with questions!