Mend Broken Teeth with Portobello Dental Clinic

While teeth are incredibly strong, they are still susceptible to being chipped, cracked (fractured) or broken due to:

• Biting down on something hard
• An impact to the face or mouth
• Having dental cavities (decay) that weaken the tooth

When a tooth is damaged, it may not hurt immediately, but the broken tooth will have been structurally weakened. You’ll usually feel the broken area quickly, as it feels sharp when you brush your tongue over it.

Sometimes the tooth looks fine, but hurts when you eat or when the temperature in your mouth changes (because you drank something hot or cold, for example). If your tooth hurts all the time, it may have a damaged nerve or blood vessels.

While minor tooth fractures usually don’t cause pain, if a large piece of the tooth breaks off, it may be extremely painful. This is due to the nerve inside the tooth becoming exposed to the air or hot or cold food and drinks. Pain from a broken or cracked tooth may be constant or may come and go but whatever the case, it must be seen by a dentist as a priority. Leaving a broken tooth to get worse can lead to serious infection, further complication, and ultimately a tooth extraction.

There is no way to treat a cracked or broken tooth at home. You need to see us as soon as possible. We’ll usually be able to make space for emergency appointments to please call as soon as possible.

We’ll be able to figure out if the break was caused by tooth decay or tooth trauma, and if the tooth’s nerve is compromised. A damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment.

In the meantime:

• Rinse your mouth well with warm water.
• Apply pressure with a piece of gauze on any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
• If this doesn’t work, use a tea bag with pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.
• Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Do not place it on the tooth or the gum.
• If you can’t get to us right away and the break isn’t serious, apply dental cement to the tooth (dental cement can be purchased from most pharmacies). Please call for help when applying to the tooth.
• Take over-the-counter pain relief as needed. Let us know if you’ve taken any other pain medication.

There are several types of tooth fractures and breaks, each requiring different treatment. These include:

Minor cracks – Also called “craze lines,” these are surface cracks that affect only the outer white surface of the tooth, called the enamel. Minor cracks rarely need treatment. However, we may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots and will advise you if there is anything to be careful of.

Cracked tooth – This type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve. The pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can sometimes be repaired with composite (white) filling material, but more often will need a Cerec or a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you may need a root canal treatment as well.

Chips – Minor chips to a tooth don’t always need treatment. We may suggest repairing the damage with dental bonding material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look better. If the chip is very small, we may just polish and smooth the chipped area.

Broken cusp – These breaks affect the pointed chewing surfaces (the cusps) of the teeth. They usually do not affect the pulp and are unlikely to cause much pain. We may repair the damage to restore the tooth’s shape. However, a Cerec or crown will be required if the damage is anything but minor, as a break like that can lead to infection and further damage.

Serious breaks – These breaks may go deep enough to expose the nerve. They almost always cause the tooth to hurt and be sensitive. Usually, the broken part of the tooth will bleed. You will need root canal treatment to remove the exposed nerve and probably a crown to restore the tooth to normal function so you can eat and chew properly. Breaks like this require immediate dental work.

Vertical breaks or split root – These cracks start in the root of the tooth and extend upward toward the chewing surface. These breaks are often painful because the area around the root may be inflamed or infected. In most cases, the tooth will have to be removed and should be replaced with a dental implant or bridge.

Decay-induced break – In this case, the tooth has broken or crumbled because a cavity weakened it from the inside out. We will evaluate the cavity and recommend the best way to restore the tooth. In some cases, a filling is enough to keep the tooth healthy. If the decay is extensive however, the tooth may require root canal treatment, a Cerec treatment or a crown.

Broken teeth are also sometimes a symptom of tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, which is a common condition in adults. A dental check is required with your dentist to identify if you do suffer from teeth grinding or jaw clenching and what treatment options are most suited to help you. Find more information about teeth grinding here.