Why Did a Piece of My Tooth Break Off?
A chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth can happen unexpectedly, no matter your age, or if you grind or clench your teeth, experience any trauma, and even other causes. You may not have any instant symptoms of a broken tooth that are readily identified. Or you could have some sensitivity, some discomfort, or some swelling. Your dentist can identify the severity and then treat the broken tooth properly.
A fractured tooth is when a small crack visually appears. The crack can be exceedingly small and harmless. Or it could cause your tooth to break off.
Tooth fractures are common in children, more so than in older adults, yet anyone can crack a tooth. If you believe you have a broken tooth, visit your dentist soon.
What Parts of a Tooth Can Crack?
Each tooth consists of two fundamental elements:
- Crown- Which is visible above your gums.
- Roots- Which lie below your gums.
Every crown and every root system consists of these layers:
- Enamel- The white, hard outer surface.
- Dentin- The second softer layer of the tooth.
- Pulp- The soft, life-tissue center of the tooth, which contains blood vessels and nerves.
A broken tooth can affect just one or all layers. The proper treatment for your damaged tooth will depend on the location of the break or fracture and its severity.
A broken tooth can be painful and sensitive, yet many small fractures result in no symptoms. Seeing your dentist and receiving correct treatment dramatically improves your chances of saving a broken tooth.
Common Causes for a Fractured, Cracked, or Broken Tooth
Common and frequent causes of tooth fractures are:
- A dental filling or a root canal, which both weaken the tooth.
- An accident or trauma, like a fall, a sports injury, a biking accident, or an auto accident.
- Your natural age, with an increase in tooth fractures happening after the age of fifty.
- Bruxism is clenching or grinding your teeth.
- Biting down on hard foods, like candy, popcorn, or even ice.
- Unhealthy habits, such as chewing on pencils or fingernails.
Cracks, fractures, and breaks happen most often with upper front teeth and lower molars. Often, you just fracture one tooth, but an increase in trauma then damages more teeth. If you have cavities, you will have a higher risk of fractures or breaks.
The Most Common Symptoms of a Cracked, Fractured, or Broken Tooth
A fractured tooth is often not immediately evident. When it becomes obvious, the symptoms can include:
- Tenderness and swelling around the tooth.
- Any discomfort or pain, especially when chewing.
- An increased sensitivity to either hot or cold temperature changes.
- A throbbing toothache when biting down.
When A Damaged Tooth Escalates
A damaged tooth can quickly lead to a damaging infection. Schedule a dental appointment if you have any of these symptoms:
- Consistent tooth pain.
- Sensitivity to temperature changes.
- Bad breath, or halitosis.
- Swollen gums.
- A fever.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
The Broken Tooth Restoration Procedure
Repairing a broken tooth might take just one visit or a few, depending on the proper treatment necessary. Your dentist will propose a solution once the severity is confirmed. For example:
- Dental bonding- Simple, easy, completed in just one hour.
- A dental crown- Fitted permanently in two appointments.
- Veneers- It might take three to four weeks to create custom veneers.
- An extraction- The extraction is immediate, but any restoration will take additional appointments.