Broken Tooth
A broken tooth could be a dental emergency depending on the severity of the fracture and presenting symptoms. Severe pain, bleeding around the gum line, and sharp edges, are all situations that need emergency treatment. If you have a broken tooth, call us at Pulse Dental. We can offer you a same-day emergency appointment for your treatment in Houston, TX. Here is a comprehensive guide for when you encounter a broken or chipped tooth situation.
Broken Tooth Types
There are different types of cracked teeth. Each type represents different symptoms and need unique treatment. The best way to look at different types of broken teeth are based on the extent of fracture.
Chipped Front Tooth
A small chip in a front tooth when no pain presents is very common. This type of fracture is not an emergency but should not be left untreated. The treatment for chipped front teeth varies. A small chipped tooth is repairable with simple composite filling. For a larger chipped tooth, resin composite veneers or ceramic veneers are a better choice for aesthetic reasons.
Large Tooth Fracture
A large tooth fracture, no matter which tooth, requires immediate attention. Treatment of a broken tooth in these conditions depends on the extent of the fracture. If the root of your teeth are not involved, the cracked tooth could be repaired with a root canal and dental crown. If not, they are sometimes repairable by placing a large composite filling but not recommended long-term.
When a tooth fracture is large enough to involve the roots or when there is a broken wisdom tooth, the only choice is tooth extraction, this is a dental emergency as it present most of the time with pain or cracked tooth syndrome. If you encounter this situation, call us at Pulse Dental. We will give you a same-day emergency appointment for your treatment.
Broken Tooth Root Still In Gum
When a tooth is broken at the gum line, tooth extraction is the only viable treatment option. If left untreated, it can cause gum swelling and infection around the area which can hurt teeth next to it. If your have a broken tooth with the root still in the gum, don’t let it go untreated. Call our office and we can set up a same-day appointment for a pain free tooth extraction in Houston, TX.
Cracked Root Canal Tooth
A cracked root canal treated tooth is absolutely not savable. In this situation, the only treatment is tooth extraction and placing a bone graft. If your root canal treated tooth cracked, call us immediately to schedule a same-day appointment for tooth extraction and bone graft with our clinic at Pulse Dental.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Chipped Tooth?
The cost to fix a Chipped tooth, Cracked tooth, or a Broken tooth depends on the extent of damage. If the tooth is not repairable, it will be the cost of tooth extraction in Houston, TX, between $250 to $600. If a small chip could be repaired with composite filling, it would be the cost of simple filling, between $100 to $400. For a chipped front tooth, patients might have more concerns about cosmetic issues. In this situation, if the patient chooses a treatment like veneers, it would be more costly. Average prices for resin veneers in Houston, TX can range from $400 to $800 per tooth, and for ceramic veneers, from $800 to $1400 per tooth. In case of a bigger tooth fracture when a dental crown is necessary, the cost of treatment is from $700 to $1500. If you have a cracked tooth, don’t leave it untreated. Let our dentists at Pulse Dental examine you. They will give you the best treatment options. Don’t worry about the price. We accept most PPO dental insurances. If you have no insurance, we also have affordable payment plans to help you with your payment. Call us today to schedule your same-day appointment.
FAQ
Yes, even a small chip can progress to a larger fracture line, and make your treatment more costly and complicated in the future.
Teeth are covered with enamel, which is the strongest structure in human body. If a tooth chips or cracks, there should be an explanation. Most of the time, invisible dental decay or long-term trauma on a tooth surface can cause chipping. Another reason could be imbalanced mineral composition of the teeth or even diet. Regular dental checkups can help to diagnose these issue early and prevent more damage.
For a broken tooth with pain, the best temporary relief, until you can see an emergency dentist, is over-the-counter pain medication.
Cracked Tooth Syndrome involves a tooth having a crack, leading to symptoms like intermittent biting pain and sensitivity to temperature. It’s challenging to diagnose, often requiring special dental examinations. Treatment varies from simple bonding to more complex procedures like root canals, depending on the crack’s severity. Preventive measures include avoiding hard foods and good oral hygiene.
If you’ve broken a tooth, follow these immediate steps before seeing a dentist:
- Rinse: Gently rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Cold Compress: Apply it to the area to reduce swelling.
- Eat Soft Foods: Avoid chewing with the broken tooth.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Take as directed if in pain.
- Avoid Dental Cement: It’s a temporary solution; see a dentist promptly.
Always contact us ASAP for an appointment after any dental injury.
In some cases, a tooth broken at the gum line can be saved. The viability often depends on the extent of the break, the overall health of the tooth, and the underlying bone. If enough healthy tooth structure remains, it may be possible to place a crown or perform a root canal followed by a post and crown. However, if the tooth is severely damaged, extraction might be necessary. It’s essential to consult with a dentist promptly to assess the best treatment option.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water.
- Avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks to prevent sensitivity.
- Apply a cold compress to the affected side of the face.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but always follow dosing instructions.
- Avoid chewing on the broken tooth.
- Use dental wax or temporary over-the-counter dental cement to cover sharp edges, if necessary.
- See a dentist as soon as possible for definitive care.
You can place dental wax temporarily on a broken tooth. Dental wax prevents the sharp edge of a broken tooth from cutting tongue and gum tissue. It also prevent food particles from entering the broken tooth, and prevents tooth sensitivity temporarily. Remember that dental wax is just a temporary solution until you can see your dentist.
If the tooth fracture is limited to the enamel or the surface of dentin, but not close to the nerve, you might not feel any pain. Even if you don’t have pain, It does not mean that you can leave it untreated. An untreated tooth fracture can become larger and eventually reach the root, causing you pain, it can be more difficult to treat at this stage.
Not always, a cracked tooth needs to be pulled only if the crack extends to the root or roots of a tooth.
There is no fixed answer for this. Every broken tooth is unique, but generally, the sooner you treat it, the lower the chance of complications.
Fixing a broken tooth should be done by a licensed dentist. You might be able to fix it temporarily by using things like dental wax, but to fix a cracked tooth permanently, and to prevent further complications, you should see a dentist immediately.