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I’ve broken a tooth – what do I do?

Cracked_tooth_lateral_periodontal_abscessBreaking a tooth can be a traumatic experience, particularly as it usually happens as a result of a fall or a blow to the mouth. Once the initial shock has subsided, however, the cosmetic impact of a broken tooth can also be a lot to deal with.

So, what can you do if you’ve broken a tooth? The team here at CK Dental practice in Clifton, Bristol, have come up with some tips to help you deal with the problem as quickly and effectively as possible.

First things first: call the dentist

A broken tooth is a dental emergency, so you need to call your dentist straightaway. S/he will then be able to assess the damage and let you know the best options available to mend your broken tooth as quickly as possible.

Here at CK Dental, Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause says there are three main types of broken tooth from a knock to the mouth:

A chipped tooth

A chip in the tooth’s enamel or the surface of the tooth is unlikely to be a major problem. It can be an annoyance, however, so depending on the severity of the chip your dentist may use filling material to even it out, or just polish the area smooth. For a more permanent cosmetic option, dental veneers might be a good choice.

A broken cusp

The cusps are the pointed, chewing surfaces of the teeth. If these are broken, it will impact on the practical use of your teeth, so some dental work will definitely be required. It may be possible to repair the damage using filler material, but often a dental veneer or crown will be needed.

A serious break

A serious break in a tooth is one which causes the nerve to be exposed. This will cause some pain, and there will often be blood involved. If you have a serious break in your tooth, you may need root canal treatment on the exposed nerve, as well as a crown on the tooth to allow you to chew food normally.

If you have broken a tooth recently and have not seen a dentist about it, please contact us to find out how we can help.