Fixing Broken Teeth
Having one of your teeth suddenly break as you eat or brush your teeth can be alarming. Yet it is one of the most common dental problems we treat. There is a lot that you can do to get your smile perfect again.
When a tooth breaks, it usually happens while biting into hard food such as nuts or sweets. However, the underlying cause is a little more complicated. Healthy teeth can handle even the hardest food, so if your tooth breaks, it is a sign that it has become weakened. The weakening of a tooth could be due to decay or an old filling working loose. In older patients, it can just be down to wear and tear. Sometimes a tooth can break as a result of an accident, at work or while playing sport.
If a small piece is chipped off, you might not experience any pain, however, a bigger break could expose the root and cause infection or pain. Your dentist will need to take a look at the broken tooth to understand the type and size of the damage to recommend the most appropriate treatment. A small crack can be resolved quickly and easily using a coloured filling, while for a larger break, it might be more appropriate to fit a crown over what remains of the tooth. Your dentist will also check for any underlying problems such as decay, which might have caused the tooth to break in the first place.