Why did a piece of my tooth break off?
A chipped or broken tooth is a common problem that many patients experience at some point. Any number of factors can lead to a broken tooth including age, grinding your teeth, accident or trauma, or dental decay. When a piece of a tooth actually breaks off, you may experience pain, sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets, and even swelling in the gum tissue surrounding the affected tooth.
What causes a broken tooth?
No one anticipates chipping or breaking a tooth but it can happen to anyone, though it is more common in children and older adults. When a tooth fractures, a crack appears on the surface of the tooth; fractures can be minor and easily fixed or more severe. When a crack in a tooth is larger and left untreated, it can eventually cause your tooth to split. No matter the size of a crack in a tooth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the affected tooth and surrounding tissue.
Common causes of a fractured tooth include:
- Biting on hard foods, like popcorn kernels, nuts, and chewing ice
- Bruxism, which is the unconscious clenching and grinding a lot of patients do during sleep
- Accident or trauma such as a car or bicycle accident or experiencing a fall
- Root canal or large dental fillings; root canal therapy leads to brittleness over time
- Age; normal wear and tear can eventually cause teeth to be more susceptible to fracture
How is a broken tooth fixed?
When you visit your dentist with a broken tooth, they will examine the tooth and likely take an x-ray to see if any fractures are visible or if any underlying bone loss could be causing problems for you. Vertical fractures can irritate the gum tissue so they will make note of your gum health and look for fracture lines. They may ask you to bite down on a stick or instrument to see if that causes a negative reaction. There is also a dye that they can use to stain the tooth to highlight any fracture.
There are a number of treatments available to restore a fractured tooth, depending on the severity of the fracture. Common treatments include:
- Cosmetic contouring: Minor chips can be smoothed out by your dentist to prevent any rough edges from irritating your tongue or cheek.
- Root canal therapy: When a broken tooth is severe, it may be possible to save the tooth by removing the damaged pulp inside the tooth to get you out of pain and remove any infection before placing a restoration.
- Composite bonding: Your dentist can use the same material they use for filling a cavity to repair small chips and fractures in the teeth.
- Crown: A porcelain crown can be placed over the tooth to keep it together and prevent further damage. Crowns are often used in conjunction with root canal therapy.
- Extraction: A tooth that is damaged beyond repair at which point your dentist will likely recommend that the tooth come out altogether.
No matter how big or small a fracture is, it should be evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible. A small chip or crack can quickly turn into something more serious so it is important to have it treated right away!