If left untreated, tooth decay and cracks in the teeth can cause part or all of the tooth to break off. This is called a tooth fracture and causes various problems, including pain and infection. These fractures, which are traumas in the mouth, can be large or small depending on the situation. The treatment of tooth fractures differs according to the shape of the fracture, the area of effect and the previous treatment methods applied in the region.
Types of Tooth Fractures
Teeth can be fractured for various reasons, and although this situation may appear uniform, it can occur in different ways. When there are different types of tooth fracture, tooth fracture treatment is handled in different ways. Fracture types are basically listed as follows:
- Cracks that are not easily noticeable and visible under violet light
- Fractures extending vertically to the gums
- Deep fractures extending below the gum line
- Fractures under the gums
- Fractures at the tip of the tooth
These fractures can be detected by regular dental check-ups. X-rays and existing infections are of great importance in determining which type of fracture the patient has.
Broken Tooth Treatment Methods
Since fractures in teeth can be of different types, treatment methods also differ in themselves.
In some cases, filling applications for a broken tooth can be therapeutic, while in other cases there is no other way but to extract the tooth.
The size of the fractured tooth, the depth of the fracture, the area of impact and oral infections are among the factors that help determine the right treatment. The treatment methods applied are as follows:
Filling and Bonding Method
This method is preferred when the size of the fractured tooth is not large and provides correction of small-scale fractures and cracks in the tooth enamel. The application of filling material between small-sized fractures is sufficient for treatment, while the Bonding method is preferred for fractures occurring in the front teeth.
Broken Tooth Veneer Method
It is applied in cases of large-sized tooth fractures and in cases where tooth decay has progressed inside the tooth. In this method, a part of the tooth is first filed, then the filed part is covered. Thus, the tooth fracture is treated. Different materials such as porcelain, metal, ceramic and zirconium can be used for veneers.
Laminate Veneer Method
This method may be preferred if the broken teeth are located at the front of the mouth. With laminate veneer, which is a kind of veneer treatment, veneer materials closest to the natural tooth appearance are used. For this reason, it is widely recommended for people who want to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance in front tooth fractures.
Root Canal Treatment
If oral infections have occurred as a result of tooth fractures and it is not possible to treat the tooth with classical filling methods, root canal treatment, a method that is usually completed in two stages, is preferred. In this procedure, decay, infection and bacteria in the mouth are first cleaned. The canals are placed by going down to the roots of the tooth and the canals are filled with filling material and closed.
What to Do in Tooth Fractures
Tooth fractures can occur as a result of sudden impacts or due to insufficient attention to oral care. These fractures, which reduce the comfort of life, are usually painful and traumatic, and in some cases are visually disturbing. For this reason, a specialist dentist should be consulted immediately upon realizing that there is a fracture in the mouth.
