Broken teeth are probably the most common dental injuries. If they are bad, a visit to your local emergency dentist may be required. However, many people get away with making an appointment with their regular dentist.
Broken teeth can occur in many ways. Some of the more common include playing sport, from work-related injuries, and from using your teeth to open jars or bottles. If you do break a tooth, it is important to get in touch with your local dentist to explore your options. You may be able to get it fixed without spending too much, but you may need to get a crown or fake tooth.
Your options when you break a tooth include:
Emergency dental treatment:
You should always visit a dentist as soon as you can after chipping or cracking a tooth, especially if it is painful. In especially bad cases, you should think about visiting an emergency dentist immediately to prevent further damage. Signs you should visit an emergency dentist include:
- Any blood or bloody discharge coming from within or around your tooth. This can indicate significant damage which needs to be dealt with immediately.
- Significant pain, which can mean that the nerves are exposed due to damage to your tooth. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further nerve damage.
- Loose or wobbly teeth, which may have internal or nerve damage.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible!
Other treatment options:
If you happen to chip or damage your tooth, and you decide to get it fixed by your regular dentist, your treatment options include:
A crown – If the chewing surface of your tooth is damaged or you need a very large filling, a crown may be required. A crown is basically a piece of very hard material which is glued to the affected part of your tooth. Although expensive, crowns are a great long-term solution for damaged teeth.
A root canal – If your tooth is very damaged or infected, a root canal will have to be performed. This will remove and damaged or infected material from the inside of your tooth, reducing your risk of re-infection or future toothaches.
A filling – If the damage isn’t significant, you may be able to get away with a simple filling. This is usually only possible for very minor chips or cracks, but can be done immediately without significant costs.
Tooth removal – In extreme cases, the damaged tooth will probably have to be removed. In most cases, it will be replaced with a false tooth or a dental bridge. If done well, people won’t even be able to notice that you are missing a tooth.
If you chip or damage a tooth, it is essential to talk to your dentist. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action, help you deal with the damage, and remove or reduce and pain associated with it.
