A fractured tooth is one of the most unpleasant dental problems, as it can happen at the most unexpected moments and to practically anyone. All it takes is a bad bite, some sort of trauma, or a weakened filling.
If the injury affects the smile zone, most people immediately think of the aesthetic consequences, but a broken tooth is actually a much more serious condition, and it's advisable to seek professional dental help as soon as possible to avoid complications.
In modern dentistry, it is now possible not only to restore the shape of a tooth, but its colour, form, and even its functionality can achieve an effect identical to the original. This is the basis of aesthetic dentistry.
What can cause a tooth to break, what to do if the worst happens, and how can we prevent this condition? In this article, we will answer these questions, among many others!
Broken tooth: Why do they break?
Chipped teeth are most often a result of an accident or a dental problem. A milk tooth or a permanent tooth can chip or break off due to an accident, whether it's from sports or due to a bite that is too strong.
In other cases, due to minor external impact, the decayed tooth (being weaker) can also break off easily. The extent of the broken tooth can be minor or major. However, smaller surface chips can be just as harmful in the long term if left untreated as larger tooth fractures originating from damaged dentine.
Whether a tooth is chipped or, in a more severe case, completely broken, a dentist is always needed to restore it. Do you have a chipped tooth? Then ask about our personalised options and book an appointment online at our clinic!
The most common causes and risk factors for a broken tooth are:
Tooth decay
Tooth decay can weaken the tooth's structure from within, so while the outer enamel remains at least partially intact, the dentin layer underneath thins, and a stronger bite can easily cause the tooth to fracture in this state.
Plugging issues:
Fillings that are too old or too large can also contribute to fractures. This is because the tooth and the filling can weaken underneath, forming small gaps or cracks, which can lead to damage under high pressure.
Teeth grinding
Nocturnal teeth grinding affects a great many people, but only a few are aware of it. This bad habit is a subconscious process and places a huge extra burden on tooth enamel, which in the long term promotes the formation of fractures.
Orthodontic deficiencies:
If teeth are not in the correct position or a perfect bite does not form, the balance is disturbed and some teeth are subjected to greater force than necessary, increasing the chance of trauma.
Mechanical damage
Mechanical injuries are the most common cause of a broken tooth, which can be caused by sports, accidents, or even a bad bite.
Ageing
Ageing affects all parts of the body, including the teeth. Enamel problems are normal in older people, and the weakened structure makes fractures much more common, even with minimal force.
Unhealthy eating habits
An acidic diet or eating too many sugary drinks and foods will have a bad effect on the condition of your teeth, making them more vulnerable to damage.
Genetic factors
Genetics also influences the thickness and strength of tooth enamel. If someone has inherited this or was born with an enamel development disorder, they will be much more prone to mechanical damage to their teeth.
What happens if a broken tooth is left untreated?
A chipped tooth will not only look bad aesthetically, but can also cause functional problems. In many cases they can affect chewing, causing adjacent teeth to shift or the opposite teeth to come out to make chewing easier.
Unfortunately, the later you treat a chipped tooth, the more complicated, difficult and expensive it will be to restore. That's why as soon as your tooth is chipped due to any accident, injury, bad bite or tooth decay, contact our office immediately and we'll restore your tooth!
What can the dentist do if the tooth is chipped?
Az, hogy a letört fogat hogyan kezeli a fogorvos, attól is függ, hogy mekkora mértékű a letörés. Amennyiben a törött fognál a fogbél, azaz a dentin is megsérül, akkor gyökérkezelésre is szükség lehet.
Nagyobb méretű fogletörés esetén inlay vagy onlay pótlással pótolható a hiányzó rész. Ha olyan nagy kiterjedésű a fogletörés, amelyen már egy helyreállító kezelés sem tud segíteni, akkor lehet, hogy ki kell húzni a bennmaradt fogrészt és a fog pótlását kell alkalmazni, fogimplantátummal vagy foghíddal.
If any piece of your tooth breaks off, please contact the NaturaDent clinic immediately so we can assess the severity of the fracture and perform the necessary procedure as soon as possible for the health and aesthetic appearance of your teeth!
What should I do with the chipped tooth until the dentist sees it?
In many cases, a broken tooth becomes sharp and can easily injure the tongue or the surface of the gum. Furthermore, the condition of a broken tooth can worsen if it is not treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
However, until you get to the dentist, the following advice is recommended:
- If the chipped piece of tooth is small, put wax or gum on it to help protect the inside of the mouth and tongue from sharp tooth wounds until you get to the dentist.
- In the case of a tooth that has been extensively erupted or chipped, but the root has remained, there is little that can be done immediately about the crown.
- In the case of a tooth that has erupted due to an accident or sports where the root and tissues are visible, wash the erupted tooth with clean water and place it back in the mouth until it can be seen by a dentist in an emergency. In this case, call the dentist immediately, as there is still a chance to save the tooth if it is erupted and treated immediately!
A fogorvos hogyan kezeli a letört fogat?
A kisebb mértékű lepattanások esetén a letört fog darabját a fogorvos felépíti élpótlással. Ha a letört fog nagyobb mértékű, akkor a fogtechnikus onlay vagy inlay pótlással, lenyomat alapján készíti el a hiányzó fogrészt, fogkoronát, amelyet a fogorvos a hiányzó fogrész helyére ragaszt be.
Amennyiben a fog letörés nagy mértékű vagy a teljes fog kitört a gyökér megmaradásával, akkor a foggyökeret eltávolítja, majd ezt fogbeültetéssel, fogimplantációval vagy foghíddal pótolja.
Remember: Whatever the extent of the tooth fracture, contact the expert dentists at NaturaDent immediately so that we can treat and restore your broken tooth as quickly as possible!
A fogszuvasodás megelőzéséhez ajánlott naponta kétszer fogat mosni, fogköztisztító kefével naponta egyszer fogat tisztítani, és fluoridos fogkrémet használni. A kiegyensúlyozott étrend is fontos, korlátozott cukorfogyasztással.
Contrary to popular belief, fog formation can be prevented. Perhaps not in all cases, but by following the useful advice below, with a bit of awareness and attention, we can do a lot to avoid this inconvenience:
Regular dental check-ups
The key to everything. If you have a check-up every six months, your dentist will be able to spot problem fillings, cavities or injuries that could cause a fracture in time.
Avoid teeth grinding at night:
Today, there are special splints that help to soften the unpleasant effects of teeth grinding at night, thus protecting the tooth enamel and helping to prevent damage.
Healthy lifestyle:
Reducing the consumption of acidic and sugary foods and drinks, while focusing on calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods, can go a long way towards keeping your teeth healthy.
Gentle bite
Your teeth are not tools, so don't use them for anything other than chewing and biting food, otherwise you risk causing injury.
Stress management:
Bruxism, or the grinding and clenching of teeth, is most often caused by stress. It's worth paying attention to this and ensuring proper stress management before dental damage occurs.
Mouthguard usage:
Most chipped teeth are the result of playing sport. Therefore, especially when playing contact sports, always use at least one inexpensive mouthguard to help prevent this.
Proper oral hygiene:
Regular brushing, flossing, interdental brushes and mouthwash used correctly and regularly are the foundation of good oral hygiene and strong teeth. With this background, the chances of tooth fractures are much lower.
Frequently asked questions
Anya, meg fogsz halni!
Ha lehetőségünk van rá, akkor mielőbb kérjünk időpontot fogorvosunknál. A törés szövődményei ugyanis annál hatékonyabban megakadályozhatók, minél előbb orvoshoz fordulunk.
Is the treatment of a broken tooth painful?
In modern dentistry, painless treatments are now a basic requirement, so whatever the technology, the procedure starts with local anaesthesia.
Should you go to the dentist with a chipped tooth without pain?
Yes, because caries or nerve damage can develop at the fracture site, or other problems that can cause a lot of discomfort or even pain in the short term.
What to do if the tooth is chipped to the root?
In this case, root canal treatment becomes unavoidable, and thereafter, the problem can be rectified with repeated rebuilding and a crown. If the root is also damaged, then its extraction followed by implantation will provide the replacement.
Can a tooth be saved even if half of it is broken off?
Certainly, because modern dentistry offers countless dental restoration solutions that provide a durable alternative even in cases of significant tooth loss.
What to do if a baby tooth has broken off?
This should also be shown to a dentist as soon as possible, however, in most cases, there is no need to replace a milk tooth.
What happens if we swallow a chipped tooth?
Usually nothing, it leaves the body naturally. However, if you feel that the chunk of tooth is stuck somewhere, causing difficulty breathing or other discomfort, you may need emergency treatment.
Why is a broken tooth more sensitive to cold and heat?
This is because, as a result of the fracture, the dentine layer is often exposed, allowing external stimuli to reach the sensitive nerves, which causes sensitivity.
What to do if the tooth under the crown breaks?
In this case, the crown needs to be removed and a new structure made, and in cases of significant tooth loss, an implant is necessary.
How permanent is the chipped tooth after the replacement?
This depends on a number of factors, including the type and quality of the restoration and your oral care habits. A filling, a shell or a crown can last 10-20 years, but in the case of implantation, it can last several decades
