Broken tooth. What to do with it?

A question we probably hear on the phone most often.

A fairly common situation occurs when a part of the tooth’s crown “breaks off,” leaving a hole. This often happens in patients who have an undiagnosed cavity that spreads under the enamel until the enamel collapses at one point, creating a “hole.” The patient feels as if the tooth has broken. However, the real cause is the cavity, which—if it does not extend into the dental pulp—can be treated with a composite filling, or in more extensive cases, with an overlay or a crown. This problem can be prevented by regularly attending preventive check-ups, which include taking X-ray images, and by maintaining dental hygiene. Of course, a tooth can also break as a result of trauma. If only the crown portion of the tooth breaks, it can be repaired immediately, even during the first emergency visit.

If the cavity or fracture reaches the dental pulp, endodontic treatment of an appropriate extent is required, depending on the damage to the tooth tissues. After that, the crown part of the tooth also needs to be reconstructed. Teeth that require endodontic treatment usually have lost a significant amount of tissue, so the crown must be restored with an overlay or a crown.

The worst situation is a root fracture, which almost always means the tooth must be extracted. Replacement of such a tooth is possible with an implant or a bridge. Under suitable conditions, the tooth can be extracted and an implant placed immediately afterward. However, this procedure is not done “on the spot”; it follows a consultation during which we take our own CBCT scan. More about implantology will be covered in another blog, as well as the consequences of tooth loss.

There are several treatment options, and if you want to find out what awaits your broken tooth and receive appropriate treatment, schedule an appointment with us. During the visit, we will examine the tooth clinically and radiologically and propose the next steps.

MDDr. Július Ročkár