Why did a piece of my tooth break off?
No one expects to break a tooth but it can happen to anyone at any time, though it is more common in children and older adults. Our teeth take a lot of abuse every day and if they are not well cared for, a minor chip or crack can end up with a broken tooth. There are a number of factors that can lead to a broken tooth including age, accident or trauma, dental decay, or grinding your teeth (bruxism). When a piece of a tooth actually breaks off, you may experience pain, sensitivity to hot, cold, sugar, and even swelling in the gum tissue surrounding the affected tooth.
Why did a piece of my tooth break off?
Causes of a fractured tooth may include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Chewing on hard foods or ice
- Bruxism, clenching and/or grinding your teeth
- A fall or other accident or trauma
- Root canal treatment or large, old dental fillings; root canal therapy eventually leads to brittleness in the treated tooth
- Normal wear and tear can leave teeth susceptible to fracture
When a crack appears on the surface of the tooth, the fracture can be minor and easily fixed or more severe, requiring more invasive treatment. When a crack in a tooth is large and left untreated, it can eventually cause your tooth to split and possibly break off. No matter the size of a crack in your tooth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid further damage and more extensive treatment or possibly tooth loss.
Treating A Broken Tooth
Your dentist will examine the area and take an x-ray to see if any fractures are visible beyond the gum line or if any underlying bone loss could be causing an issue. Your dentist will be able to determine the best path of treatment once they assess the area. Vertical fractures can irritate the gum tissue so they will evaluate your gum health and look for fracture lines on the surface of your tooth. They may ask you to bite down on a stick or instrument to see if that causes a negative reaction.
Depending on the severity of the fracture, treatment for a broken tooth may include:
- Cosmetic contouring: Minor chips can be smoothed to prevent rough edges from irritating your tongue or cheek.
- Composite bonding: The same material used to fill a cavity can be used to repair small chips and fractures.
- Root canal treatment: If a break is severe, it may be possible to save the remaining tooth structure by removing the damaged pulp inside the tooth.
- Crown: A porcelain crown can be placed over the tooth to ensure structural integrity and prevent further damage.
- Crowns are often used after root canal treatment.
- Extraction: If a tooth is damaged beyond repair, the tooth may need to come out and be replaced with a bridge or dental implant. This is generally a last resort for a tooth that has been deemed hopeless.
If you feel a chip or think you have cracked a tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.