Broken Tooth

A broken or fractured tooth can present itself as a chipped or cracked tooth. It can result from an accident or a mouth injury that has displaced or knocked the tooth. Even older age or the grinding of teeth can be a factor.

A broken tooth isn’t very aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly, if a broken tooth is left untreated, it can cause a multitude of serious problems, including tooth decay, infection or loss of the whole tooth. Seeking help as soon as possible will result in the best possible outcome for your broken tooth.

Causes of a Broken Tooth

Some of the most common causes of a broken tooth include:

Trauma or Injury
Most commonly caused by sporting accidents or falls. If you suffer a blow to the mouth, it could result in a tooth becoming chipped or cracked.
Decay or Infection
An infected or decayed tooth can become weak, making it easier to chip or crack.
Grinding Teeth
If you have the bad habit of grinding your teeth excessively, it can wear down the enamel, weaken the teeth and make them more susceptible to cracking or breaking.
Biting Down On Something Hard
Have you ever bitten down hard on an apple or hard, sticky candy and worried about your teeth breaking? Well, it does happen and more often than you may think. The pressure of biting into something hard can easily cause your tooth to break.
Age
As people age, their teeth become weaker and more prone to tooth breakage. Broken teeth are more common in people over the age of 50 than in younger people.

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth

Luckily, there are quite a few treatment options for people with a broken tooth. These treatments include:

01

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a common treatment option for people with mild chipped or cracked teeth.

Dental bonding involves the use of a tooth-coloured composite resin, which is attached to the broken tooth and set in place with an ultraviolet light. It effectively covers up any cracks or chips.

02

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are similar in theory to traditional fillings, although they serve different functions. Inlays are used on moderately damaged teeth and are placed in the tooth. In contrast, onlays are placed over the tooth and are commonly used for more severely damaged teeth.

03

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is usually made from porcelain or ceramic and is one of the most popular treatment options for broken or fractured teeth. It is custom-made in a lab and then placed entirely over the broken tooth after some of the tooth enamel has been shaved down. Covering a fractured tooth with a dental crown ensures that your tooth isn't damaged further and will also renew your smile.

04

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers consist of a thin shell made from porcelain or composite resin materials. They are attached to the front of a broken tooth to hide chips and cracks. Veneers are tooth-coloured and blend in perfectly with your natural teeth.

05

Dental Implants

When a tooth is too severely broken, it may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant. A dental implant consists of a metal screw-like post that is inserted into the jawbone and a dental crown (commonly made from zirconia or porcelain), which is placed on the screw and essentially replaces the lost tooth.

06

Root Canal

If a broken tooth has become infected, it will most likely require root canal treatment. Root canal includes the removal of the infected dental pulp (connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels in a tooth), cleaning the tooth with an antibacterial solution, and placing a filling or crown on the tooth to seal it up and prevent any further infection or damage.

Cost of Treating a Broken Tooth

The cost of fixing a broken tooth mainly depends on the type of treatment that is required and various other factors, including:

The severity of the damage: How severe the damage is will determine the type of treatment needed, which in turn will impact the total price you will have to pay.
Dentist fees: Another factor that impacts the total cost will be the dentist you visit. Each dentist has their own fees; some may even be more open to a payment plan.
Location: A dentist’s fees can differ depending on their geographic location.

The average cost of treatments for broken teeth includes these rough estimates:

Dental bonding: The total cost for dental bonding can range anywhere from $200-$600 per tooth.
Inlays and onlays: The average cost of inlays and onlays is usually around $700-$1,300 per tooth.
Dental crowns: Dental crowns will set you back around $1,100-$2,000.
Dental veneers: Dental veneers can range from $450 to $3,000 per tooth.
Dental implants: A more pricey treatment option, dental implants can cost anywhere from $3,000-$7,000 per tooth.
Root canal: Root canal treatment typically ranges from $900 to $3,4000.

Please note that these prices are all rough estimates at best. The total cost of each treatment differs depending on how badly your tooth is broken, the number of teeth that need to be treated, the dental materials used and the dentist itself.

If you suffer a sporting injury or an accident and notice your tooth break, we recommend that you make a dentist appointment as soon as possible to get it fixed. Leaving a broken tooth causes pain and discomfort but can also lead to more serious dental problems the longer it is left untreated.

Atria Dental is a family-owned dental clinic with a friendly and professional team that has years of experience carrying out dental treatments. We understand the importance of our patients and are more than happy to sit down with you and listen to any questions or concerns you may have before beginning any treatment. We put your care and comfort before all else.

To learn more about our treatments for broken teeth or our other services, please get in touch with us at 02 9160 7758 or visit our website: https://atriadentalgordon.com.au/.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Fix a Broken Tooth?

A broken tooth can be fixed with various dental treatments, including dental bonding, inlays and onlays, dental crowns, dental veneers, dental implants, and a root canal procedure.

Your dentist will examine your broken tooth and discuss the best treatment options with you. Each individual case will be different depending on the severity of your broken tooth.

Is a Broken Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A broken tooth can be considered a dental emergency if it results in bleeding, lots of pain, an exposed nerve or if it severely impacts a person’s ability to eat or talk. It can also leave your tooth more susceptible to a tooth infection.

If you have a broken tooth, we recommend visiting a dentist as soon as possible, even if it may not immediately be considered an emergency.

Can a Broken Tooth Be Reattached?

Yes, a broken tooth can be reattached depending on how serious the break is and how quickly you take action.

Find the broken piece of tooth, gently rinse it in water (don’t scrub it), store it in a clean container with milk or saliva covering it and contact your dentist
immediately.

What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Tooth?

The symptoms of a broken tooth include:

Sharp pain (especially when eating food)
Bleeding
A sharp edge on your tooth
Sensitivity to cold or hot food/drinks
Swollen gums around the broken tooth

What Are the Best Ways to Manage Pain from a Broken Tooth?

The best ways to manage pain from a broken tooth include:

Over-the-counter pain medication
A cold compress or ice pack to reduce any swelling or numb the pain
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water to prevent swelling
Eat soft or liquid foods to avoid pain or prevent any further damage from eating solid foods.

If none of these methods helps to manage the pain effectively, contact your dentist straight away.