What to do If You Break a Tooth?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could regrow our teeth after adulthood? Sadly, we’re not sharks, and the genes that could do that are deactivated by the 20th week of foetal development. We have no choice but to guard these precious little teeth for life. Despite your best efforts, a tooth or two sometimes falls, leaving you with an unsightly gap that chips away at your self-esteem. Thankfully, your dentist can fix this problem, confidently helping you smile again. Learn about broken teeth treatment, including treatment costs and side effects.

Why are My Teeth Breaking?

There could be several factors that cause teeth to break. Sometimes, tooth problems could be genetic. Sometimes, they could fall off as a side effect of your medications. Poor oral hygiene and bad dietary habits like sugary food, acidic drinks, processed food, etc., could lead to cavities, causing them to fall off. Accidents, bite problems, or nutritional deficiencies are some of the other reasons for teeth to fall off.

What to Do Immediately After A Tooth Falls Out?

If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth immediately with warm water and apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding. Or, apply a cold compress to the affected area. Sometimes, if the tooth pops out of the mouth, you could place it back into the socket using a gauze pad. If the teeth look dirty, don’t forget to rinse it off before putting it back. If you can’t get it into the socket, consider placing the tooth in a glass of milk or saline solution. Take this to the dentist as early as possible to salvage the tooth.

If the tooth was broken due to injuries, it could result in deep cracks that run to the root from the tooth center and the pulp chamber. These cracks are not visible but could cause extensive damage and need treatment. We suggest visiting the dentist even if it seems to be a minor crack because it’s hard to tell if the injury is serious. Besides, there’s no home remedy to fix a broken or chipped tooth.

Broken Teeth Treatment

Broken teeth treatment depends on how severe the damage is. Some of the treatment options include:

Fillings or Bonding

If it’s a minor crack, the dentist may apply a ceramic filling, which helps restore almost 98% of the tooth’s strength to its natural state. Dentists can fix a broken tooth in a single sitting using the latest technology. The ceramic filling is made in the laboratory using resistant materials. Ceramic fillings are also aesthetically pleasing and look natural. In such instances, the dentist may install a temporary filling at the first appointment and the final one after two weeks. Dental bonding is usually used on the front teeth using composite resin to colour-match your teeth. Bonding helps cover the exposed part of the pulp and repair damage.

Root Canal

If a large part of the pulp is affected and the patient experiences pain, the dentist may suggest a root canal. During this procedure, the soft pulp inside is removed while keeping the solid shell intact. The treatment is recommended only if the remaining part of the teeth is in good condition and well supported.

Dental Crown

If the tooth is broken due to severe decay, there’s not much left to do besides filing away the remaining tooth and covering it with a crown a tooth-shaped cap to protect it and improve its appearance. Dental crowns are made from metal, porcelain, resin, or sometimes porcelain fused with metal. While metal crowns are strongest, porcelain teeth look all-natural.

Dental Implants

If the teeth have broken below the gum or bone level, the dentist extracts the tooth and replaces it with implants.

Broken Teeth Treatment Side Effects

None of the treatment options we mentioned above have side effects. But you must follow the dentist’s instructions and choose a reputable dentist. The efficiency of your treatment is directly proportional to the quality of the care you’ve been provided. We suggest you choose an excellent broken teeth treatment hospital in India. At Richardsons Hospital, we offer affordable and quality care. Our team of qualified dentists, headed by Dr. Sunil Richardson, promises the best care using the latest techniques and diagnostic tools.