Broken tooth

A broken tooth arises from external influences on the tooth substance, which breaks as a result. In many cases, a dentist can treat such tooth fractures by reconstructing the tooth. Treatment varies depending on the type of fracture.

What is a broken tooth?

A broken tooth is a fracture, chipping, splitting, or crack of a tooth (infracture). Consultation with a dentist is required if a tooth fracture is suspected.

A broken tooth is a fracture, chipping, splitting, or crack of a tooth (infracture). A shock, blow, bite on something hard, accident or deliberately induced pressure on the tooth by instruments during tooth extraction are the triggers of the so-called tooth fracture.

Broken teeth occur in both milk teeth and permanent teeth. The affected person perceives the tooth fracture through pain or injuries in the oral cavity. Injuries result from the sharp edges of the broken tooth.

Consultation with a dentist is required if a tooth fracture is suspected. He will decide if he can reconstruct the tooth or if he needs to extract and replace it. Broken teeth are statistically more common in children and adolescents than in adults.

causes

A broken tooth occurs when the external influence on the tooth substance is so high that it can no longer withstand and breaks. This is the case with external force. These are bumps or blows.

Accidents such as falling on the mouth are also a cause. Children and adolescents are particularly affected because they are very active. Accidents that can lead to a tooth fracture also happen while exercising, cycling or driving.

Food can also cause tooth fractures if it contains hard components such as fruit kernels, bones or nut shells. When extracting a tooth, the dentist may deliberately fracture the tooth so that they can better extract the tooth. Teeth that have already been treated break more easily than healthy ones.

Since the natural dentin is harder than filling materials, teeth that are largely filled with filling materials due to caries break more easily. Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment are also more prone to fracture, as nerve branches and blood vessels have been removed from the tooth. In the long run, this leads to insufficient supply of the tooth and thus to increased porosity.

You can find your medication here

➔ Toothache medication

Diseases with this symptom

• Sports injuries

• Caries

• Tooth fracture

Diagnosis & course

The person concerned usually notices the broken tooth immediately after the fracture has occurred. A noticeable and audible crack often accompanies the moment of breaking off. The person affected also feels painful pressure in the jaw and teeth area, which the force of the violent impact triggers.

Depending on how pronounced the tooth fracture is, there is no, little or severe pain. If only part of the tooth enamel has broken off, the person affected first notices the new shape of the tooth. It can have sharp edges and lead to injuries in the oral cavity. In the case of deeper fractures, the nerve canal of the tooth nerve is open. This results in significant pain due to the irritation of the nerve.

Complications

A broken tooth is usually harmless. However, complications can certainly arise. Probably the most common complication is swallowing the broken tooth or the broken tooth part. In this context, however, it must be noted that swallowing the broken tooth does not normally cause any discomfort. Only aspirating the broken tooth can lead to serious complications.

During aspiration, the broken part of the tooth is accidentally inhaled; H. it gets into the windpipe. A throat irritation usually occurs as a reflex. The aim of this coughing stimulus is to get the swallowed part of the broken tooth out of the windpipe. If this does not succeed, it is advisable to see a doctor, as aspirating the tooth can have serious consequences, including pneumonia. However, this is extremely rare. A much more common complication is exposing the inside of the tooth.

This makes the tooth very easy to attack. Caries can occur as a result of the penetration of bacteria into the exposed interior of the tooth. In the worst case, the root of the tooth or the nerve becomes inflamed. This can lead to the death of the nerve, making the tooth unlikely to be preserved. For this reason, it makes sense and is important to see a dentist when breaking a tooth. Such complications can be identified or excluded by an examination by the dentist.

When should you go to the doctor?

Consultation with a dentist is generally recommended in the event of a broken tooth. A professional should check for exposed tooth necks, open nerve endings, or splinters that have lodged their gum pockets. The risk of inflammation increases if there is no control. Other problems can arise with the remaining tooth. It may no longer be adequately protected.

This makes them more susceptible to germs, viruses or bacteria that are in the person's mouth and throat. This increases the risk of further dental diseases such as tooth decay or periodontal disease. The broken tooth may expose the tooth root or nerve. Both are painful for the patient and can lead to inflammation with pus formation beyond the affected tooth. The risk that the remaining tooth nerve will die increases.

This usually leads to the fact that the tooth can no longer be used for a tooth structure later on. It must be completely removed in a surgical procedure. A broken tooth can result in the tooth holding apparatus losing its strength. Depending on the structure of the jawbones and teeth, the surrounding teeth can loosen. A regression of the gums is given. This can lead to further tooth loss or fragile teeth.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Treatment for a broken tooth depends on the type of fracture. The dentist finds out whether the tooth nerve, the so-called tooth pulp, is affected or not. In many cases he reconstructs the broken tooth.

If only the enamel is affected, the dentist refills the tooth with filling materials. If the tooth nerve is also affected, it performs a root canal treatment and fills the tooth. He may put on a crown or a partial crown. The latter is necessary if there is a large loss of tooth substance. If the tooth has broken off at the level of the tooth neck, but the root is retained in the jaw, the dentist tries to expose a piece of the root. He can then form a crown. Alternatively, a root canal treatment is performed and a crown is made.

If the person concerned has kept the broken tooth fragment and visits a dentist as soon as possible after the fracture, the fragment can possibly be reattached. This is possible if the fragment has been preserved, for example in a tooth rescue box, a glass of milk or a liquid containing alcohol, and the tooth nerve is not affected.

If the tooth root is broken, the tooth can possibly still be reconstructed. In the case of fractures in the central root area and vertical root fractures, the tooth must be extracted.

Outlook & forecast

When a tooth breaks off, it usually results in relatively severe pain. If you do not have a broken tooth treated quickly, you run the risk of the tooth root and the gums around it becoming severely inflamed. Usually the entire tooth has to be removed or covered with a crown.

Dirt can now penetrate the tooth more easily, which is why dental rinses and dental floss should be used in particular if a tooth has broken off.

The broken piece is usually replaced with the help of a filling or a crown. The treatment usually goes without problems here, only in rare cases does the filling have to be removed again when the tooth has become more infected. A good filling can last for several years and does not need to be changed.

If the broken piece is relatively large, it can be kept and later attached to the rest of the tooth. However, action must be taken here quickly. In the case of heavy bleeding, the area must be well cooled so that there is no swelling and no inflammation.

You can find your medication here

➔ Toothache medication

prevention

A broken tooth can be prevented to a limited extent. Good dental hygiene prevents carious defects, so that the natural dentin is preserved and does not have to be replaced by artificial filling materials.

Regular visits to the dentist are also part of caries prophylaxis. In addition, preparations can be used to maintain and harden the tooth enamel. In sports with a high risk of accidents, it is advisable to wear mouth and tooth protection.

Especially in children and adolescents, broken teeth cannot always be avoided, which is why a dentist should be consulted immediately if a tooth fracture is present.

You can do that yourself

A broken tooth initially scares most people, but the situation is less threatening than is generally assumed. In the event of a dental accident, the patient should remain calm as possible. Bleeding must be stopped. Gauze bandages or compresses, i.e. bandages from the medicine cabinet, are suitable for this. Another lint-free piece of textile can also be used.

Unfortunately, a piece of the incisor often breaks off, which is uncomfortable and therefore requires quick action. Rapid treatment should also be provided for medical reasons. If the broken piece can still be found, it can be taken to the dentist. There is a possibility to glue it back on. This is the simplest reconstruction of the tooth, but its success depends on the existing tooth structure. Before doing this, the piece should be washed off with clear water and then transported in a plastic box.

If the broken piece is large, part of the inside of the tooth may be exposed. Then a prompt visit to the doctor is strongly recommended. If the patient waits too long, complications can arise. Bridge, implant or denture are available for reconstruction. The dentist must assess which option is possible. If the tooth has broken off completely, but the root is still in the jaw, it must be removed. The gap will later be closed with an implant or a bridge.