Broken, Chipped/Worn Teeth

A broken tooth, chipped tooth or a missing tooth can be a huge cause of embarrassment for some people. Many adults try to avoid smiling because they are concerned about their missing teeth or chipped teeth.

Teeth are remarkably strong, but they can chip, crack (fracture) or break. This can happen in many different situations:
• Result of trauma to the teeth
• Chewing hard objects or using teeth to open cans or other hard objects
• Being hit in the face or mouth
• Falling down
• Having cavities that weaken the tooth

Broken Teeth

If you suffer from broken tooth, then you need to visit a good dentist as soon as possible. Until you get to the dentist’s office:
• Wash your mouth well with lukewarm water.
• Apply firm pressure with a piece of clean cloth on bleeding area for about 10 minutes, until the bleeding stops.
• Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help you reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• If the dentist is not readily available, get some temporary dental cement from nearby drugstore and cover the part of the tooth.
• Take some good tooth pain reliever.

What Your Dentist Will Do

Fractured Teeth

There are several types of tooth fractures and breaks, each of which requires different treatments. These include:

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Minor cracks:

Minor cracks rarely need any sort of treatment. However, you can visit a dentist to get your tooth polished to smooth out any rough spots.

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Cracked tooth:

A patient may also suffer what is called ‘cracked tooth syndrome’, in which multiple cracks begin to appear on the surface of enamel and a tooth chip results. The cracked tooth can be repaired by placing porcelain veneer on the tooth to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you may further require root canal therapy as well.

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Chips:

A chipped tooth can result into discolored teeth that appear grayish or dark yellow. Repairing chipped teeth or fixing broken teeth can be done by restorations, either by bonding the chipped tooth back together if it is minor or building it up with tooth colored material. If the tooth chipped is minor, simple enamel shaping and contouring may be done to hide the flaw. If the tooth chipped is on a molar, an onlay may be best suitable treatment for your teeth.