A tooth fracture may occur in an instant, sometimes giving rise to discomfort, stress, and inability to predict what the future may have in store for one’s dental situation. Caused by an accident or a sport injury, or even during those moments when one is simply biting into something hard, a fractured tooth should receive necessary immediate care to prevent further damage or infection of the inner pulp. In this article, we have compiled some immediate steps one should pay heed to in case of a fractured tooth and further look at long-term treatment solutions to help restore one’s smile and good dental health.
What to Do Immediately After a Tooth Fracture
If a tooth has fractured, you need to be quick to reduce further pain and help protect what is left of your tooth. Here is what you can do immediately after the injury:
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and remove any debris.his will also help prevent infection if the fracture has exposed the inner part of the tooth.
- If the tooth has partially broken off, try to locate and save the pieces. Store them in a clean container filled with milk or saline. Sometimes your dentist will be able to reattach these pieces.
- If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean piece of gauze or cloth to the area for about 10 minutes or until bleeding stops.
- Swelling and pain can be addressed by applying a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek near the fractured tooth, which can help reduce the process of swelling and provide you with relief from discomfort for a while.
- Avoid chewing or placing any kind of pressure on the fractured tooth until you see your dentist. The use of the tooth may lead to additional damage, thereby making the repair difficult.
- You can ease the pain by using over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen. However, you should not apply pain relievers to the tooth and gum since this might irritate the tissue further.
- A broken tooth is a dental emergency. Visit your dentist immediately so that you can be scheduled for an appointment. The sooner professional care is delivered, the better your pain is managed and more promising the prognosis is with respect to saving the tooth and preventing further complications.
Types of Tooth Fractures
It is important to note the various types of tooth fractures in order to appreciate the different modes of treatment. The type of fracture that you present with will determine the best mode of treatment for you.
- Minor Chips: These are tiny chips in the enamel and happen to the edges of teeth mostly. Such kinds of fractures do not typically ache and are relatively easy to fix cosmetically with various procedures like bonding or even a veneer.
- Cracked Tooth: In a cracked tooth, there is a bigger crack that might reach further into the tooth. One can feel sensitivity with hot or cold food. Discomfort is also felt during chewing. Fractures that extend to the pulp, where nerves are located, may require additional treatment, such as a root canal.
- Split Tooth: This type of fracture involves separation of the tooth into distinct parts due to the severity of the fracture. Most split teeth fractures require dental extraction as a form of treatment since conservative treatment is not able to retain the whole tooth structure. However, sometimes part of the tooth structure can be salvaged through various restorative techniques.
- Vertical Root Fractures: These are fractures that start from the root and extend upwards toward the biting surface. They are often more difficult to detect, and in many cases, symptoms may not appear immediately. Vertical root fractures usually require an extraction followed by an implant or bridge replacement.
- Fractured Cusp: The cusps represent the pointed parts of the tooth employed for chewing. A fractured cusp is when a portion of the surface of the tooth breaks off. Because this type of fracture doesn’t usually affect the pulp, it can often be treated with a crown or filling.
Long-Term Solutions for Tooth Fractures
Once immediate measures have been taken, your dentist will assess the extent of the fracture and advise the best course of treatment. Some of the following long-term restorative options for tooth fractures:
- Bonding or Filling: Small chips or minor cracks can easily be filled or bonded with dental bonding or filling. In the case of a broken tooth, your dentist will apply a tooth-colored resin material to the broken area to restore the appearance and function of the tooth.
- Dental Crown: When there is a more severe fracture which includes a large portion of the tooth, a crown may be indicated. A dental crown completely covers the tooth, serving to prevent further damage and helping in the restoration of strength and function.
- Root Canal Therapy: If the fracture extends down to the pulp, then root canal therapy may be necessary. In this procedure, the dentist removes the damaged nerve tissue and seals the tooth. After a root canal, a crown is usually put in place to fortify the tooth and prevent further fractures.
- Dental Veneers: When the fracture predominantly involves the front teeth, then dental veneers can be used cosmetically. These are thin shells of porcelain or composite materials that are bonded onto the front surface of the tooth. Consequently, this gives an appearance and durability similar to natural teeth.
- Dental Implants: If the tooth cannot be saved for instance due to vertical root fracture or split tooth, then extraction would be done. In such a case, a missing tooth could be replaced by using a dental implant. Dental implants are a permanent solution that replaces an original tooth in appearance, feel, and function.
- Extraction and Bridge: When an implant is not possible, then the tooth could be replaced by a dental bridge. A bridge includes an artificial tooth fastened with crowns on adjacent teeth. Though bridges are less invasive compared to implants, they too work well in the case of long-term outcomes.
Preventing Tooth Fractures in the Future
Although these are accidents that cannot be completely avoided at times, one actually can minimize the chances of fracturing teeth by using some protective measures. One will be required to wear a mouthguard in case one participates in a contact sport or any other form of activity where a jolt to the face is a possible hazard. A mouthguard is a critical protector of your teeth and jaws from any direct impact. It could save one from serious dental trauma. Whether you are a professional or even an amateur athlete, or just one of those people who clench your teeth at night, a custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist provides the best protection and comfort.
Apart from that, good oral hygiene could keep them in healthy and sound shape. The teeth will be guarded against decay that normally weakens the tooth and makes it more susceptible to fractures only through regular brushing and flossing together with dental visits. It is also a prudent idea to try and avoid chewing hard foods such as ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels since they may crack or chip the teeth easily. You can minimize the chances of fractures in the future by paying attention to what you eat and taking good care of your teeth.
Fracturing a tooth can be traumatic; with the proper immediate and long-term steps taken to the best possible measure, one can maintain dental health and a smile. If you have a fractured tooth, yours or a loved one’s, never wait but seek professional dental care in order not to have complications. Reach out today to Dental Harmony Turkey for expert advice and treatment options. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to explain every step in dental care to you, in order to ensure the best possible outcome for your oral health.