If a tooth becomes broken at the gum line, the dentist may need to make an incision to remove the pieces. The method of removal depends on the location and condition of the tooth. Most cases only require simple extractions.
Treatments for a chipped, broken or cracked tooth include: gluing the fragment of tooth back on. a filling or a crown (a cap that completely covers the broken tooth) root canal treatment for a badly broken tooth where the nerves are exposed.
Not all broken teeth need extraction; sometimes patients just need a chipped tooth repaired with a simple dental bonding. However, if the tooth broke at the gum line or cracked, it will likely need extracted.
The dentist makes a small incision (cut) into your gum. Sometimes it's necessary to remove some of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in half in order to extract it. There are certain risks associated with both simple and surgical tooth extractions.
Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract.
Under the proper conditions, a qualified dentist should be able to loosen and pull your tooth within a minute without causing significant irritation to the socket. A fractured tooth might be a lot harder to remove and typically requires more time to avoid causing further injuries.
If a molar is only half-broken, it can usually be fixed in one of two ways. If the break is relatively minor and the edges are still intact, your dentist may be able to bond the broken pieces back together. If the damage is more severe, they may need to use a dental crown or filling material to cover the break.
Bonding a tooth might cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, and the total cost might depend on how much work needs to be done on a tooth. A filling might cost anywhere from $90 to $500. A dental veneer might set you back $500 to $1,500.
If part of a back tooth is broken, it may either need a filling or a crown (also known as a cap). If the tooth is badly broken and the nerves are exposed, it may be a little sensitive and may even need root canal treatment. This involves removing the nerve and placing a root filling.
They can be placed when as much as ¾ of the natural tooth has been damaged or decayed, and can also be placed when the tooth is lacking both external and internal support. Additionally, they can also be placed in an empty socket with the use of a dental implant.
When you crack your tooth make sure to clean the area and keep sugar and decay-causing foods away from the tooth as much as possible. Do this by brushing your teeth, gently, after it has cracked. If it is too painful to brush, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash.
If you break or chip a tooth, one of the possibilities is that you only damage the enamel layer. This means that you might not compromise the dentin layer, which protects the sensitive pulp. In that case, it's possible not to feel pain or only feel a mild toothache.
A chipped tooth usually occurs because of some sort of trauma, such as a fall or a blow to the mouth. It can also occur because of biting down on a substance that is too hard. If your tooth is decayed, a chip is more likely, but it can also happen to perfectly healthy teeth.
Repairing your broken tooth may take weeks or months depending on your treatment. Your dentist will give you a better idea of how long your specific repair might take. For instance: Crowns: Your dentist can sometimes fit a crown in a day, but it often takes multiple appointments.
Simple tooth extractions typically range from $75 to $300, while surgical extractions can cost between $250 and $550, and sometimes up to $4,000 for complex cases.
Dental bonding is typically the least expensive, quickest, and easiest way to repair a chipped tooth, with veneers being next. Crowns are used for more extensively chipped or broken teeth when the entire top needs to be replaced. Dental implants are required when the entire tooth needs to be replaced.
If part of the tooth has fallen out or if the tooth is knocked out, this is a dental emergency, and patients need to see the dentist on the same day. While waiting for the dental appointment, it is advisable to rinse the mouth with warm salted water and put some pressure on the injury to reduce or stop the bleeding.
If there is only slight tooth decay present, the dentist can clean out the decay and then fill the whole with a filling.
Sometimes, it's not possible to save a tooth that's broken at the gumline. If your tooth is really severely broken and there's not enough structure to rebuild it, or the remaining tooth has a very deep infection, extracting it is the best option.
Broken or chipped teeth can be the cause of infection or can cause cuts on the tongue. Teeth broken with nerve endings exposed can cause severe discomfort when exposed to air and cold or hot beverages. Pain from these broken teeth may be constant or come and go. It may also lead to other worse problems.
A tooth that is broken or fractured below the gum line or down to the bone level may also be considered non-restorable. When the roots of the teeth become fractured due to trauma, healing may be nearly impossible, and tooth extraction may be the best choice.
This procedure is quicker than you'd think. The entire process of pulling a tooth—from administering the anesthetic to applying stitches if needed—typically takes anywhere between 20-40 minutes.
Ideally, patients should schedule a visit to have the cracked tooth treated within a few days after the crack occurs and no more than two weeks after the incident. If symptoms begin to worsen, an emergency visit to the dentist for immediate care is most likely necessary.
The two possible causes of wear at the gumline are abrasion and abfraction. Abrasion is caused by overzealous brushing or using a stiff-bristle toothbrush. You may think that scrubbing your teeth gets them extra clean, but you could be damaging your teeth by using too much force.