The average person visits a dentist every 3 years, which means some people can go 10, 20, or even 30 years without seeing a dentist. If you have never seen a dentist in the last few years, chances are you have been putting off scheduling an appointment mainly due to cost and time. It’s also easy to forget about your teeth when they are not causing any pain. However, it’s always best for your health if you visit a dentist on regular basis (the recommended schedule is twice annually).
When visiting the dentist for the first time in several months or years, patients who might be embarrassed about their oral condition usually complain about one of two problems: “I’ve got stains on my teeth.” or “My tooth hurts.” The former complaint is easy to remedy with professional whitening or an application of over-the-counter take-home products, but any dentist will tell you that pain in a tooth is never normal and must be addressed immediately.
If you go to the dentist because you are experiencing pain in one of your teeth, they will almost always ask if it is a new pain or a persistent pain? If the latter, then you have most likely suffered from a crack or fracture to one of your teeth.
When a patient tells me he/she has just broken their tooth I am relieved to hear they have not waited too long before seeing me as this gives us more time for treatment options. As soon as I hear about this incident, I start thinking about how we can maximize the outcome.
If you have just suffered a fracture or broken tooth, I assume it is in your best interest to know all treatment options available for this particular event. The sooner you are healthy, the sooner you can get back to work and resume your normal daily routine. You should also be aware that without proper care if left untreated, the infection can travel down to the bone level where teeth are attached leaving you with no other option but an implant or bridge replacement which is costly procedure. So, what are some of the treatment options when experiencing pain in one of your teeth?
TREATMENT OPTION #1:
PULP CAP This is not always applicable when dealing with broken teeth since most fractures that occur do so at or below the gum line. If you don’t know if your fracture is at or below the gum line, it’s likely not and you should consider other options. A “pulp cap” (also known as a root canal) entails your dentist drilling through your tooth until he/she reaches that layer of tissue that contains blood vessels that supply important nutrients and minerals to keep that tooth alive. The dentist will then pack the opening with a special type of rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Once this is completed, an artificial crown will be placed back on top for protection purposes. Although this procedure does restore health to the affected area, it does have many drawbacks including high-cost time required in maintaining care discomfort during the procedure itself
TREATMENT OPTION #2:
FILLING This option is not as effective as a root canal and will more than likely need to be addressed again within 5-7 years. Broken teeth make for great hiding places for bacteria which can gather around the fracture or crack and colonize, causing disease in that area of the tooth. A filling provides a temporary solution to this problem; it will mask and temporarily relieve any pain you might be experiencing by trapping those infectious agents inside your broken tooth. Although this will provide some temporary pain relief, it only has a 50/50 chance of lasting 5-7 years according to research studies done on this subject.
TREATMENT OPTION #3:
IMPLANT The most sought-after procedure when dealing with a fractured tooth is the dental implant. Dental implants are made of titanium and other alloys which are inserted into the bone where they then form to that particular area for support purposes. An abutment (small post) is then screwed onto this device and an artificial crown is fitted over top. Since this type of restoration attaches directly to the jawbone it reduces any future problems related to chewing, speech impediments, or other health concerns associated with your mouth. The drawback to this treatment option is the high cost associated with getting an implant done since you will need not only 1-2 implants but usually 3-4 as well due to most teeth being severely decayed when receiving one. I have a fracture in your 2 front teeth, you may want to consider getting a partial denture instead of implants since the cost difference is substantial.
TREATMENT OPTION #4:
PARTIAL DENTURE Although this option for treating your fractured tooth will cost less than getting implants or a root canal, it still has its drawbacks. Since most people do not have enough bone to support an implant replacement many times a partial denture can be used as a temporary solution until additional bone growth occurs. A number of these devices are made from pure titanium and other man-made materials which can cause a lackluster appearance if chosen by the patient since they cannot be removed and cleaned as natural teeth can be at home. I think one of the best benefits to this treatment is that the patient will now have teeth which means that they can now chew with ease, speak properly, and enjoy their meals to their fullest. They are also easy to clean since you will normally brush your teeth before going to bed at night.
TREATMENT OPTION #5:
FRACTURE FIXING Sometimes all it takes is moving a tooth back into place using only pressure if done by an expert dentist instead of having one of the more expensive treatments applied. This is typically reserved for front teeth or teeth located higher up but any type of movement is better than none. This option may seem like it’s saving you money, but remember that once this occurs, you can’t go back in time and get that dental treatment completed which would have been better for you in the long run.
Best Tip:
Put some ice on your injured tooth and bite down with pressure while holding it in place. Icing the area helps to reduce swelling while maintaining pressure assists in realigning your teeth back to their proper alignment. You can also try taking Advil or Tylenol temporarily to reduce any pain you may be having but if things get worse, consult your dentist immediately since this might indicate that your fracture is more severe than expected at first glance.
Some fractures are not just limited to the tooth itself; they can start underneath your gums which is why noticing them early on is so important. If you have low self-esteem when it comes time for smiling, grin anyway because, with proper care and treatment, you can smile again and show off those pearly whites.
What Do I Do If My Fractured Tooth Does Not Heal?
A fractured tooth that does not go away on its own or is accompanied by pain should be looked at as quickly as possible. If your dentist is not available to see you right now, schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist who will be able to assess the situation and take appropriate action which could include a root canal if need be. The longer you wait for treatment, the more complicated it will become due to bacteria having more time to grow around your tooth causing additional problems down the road which means more money spent on treating this injury. A toothache from a broken tooth may seem like it is getting better may be the first sign of an abscess that requires immediate treatment if serious consequences are to be avoided. If you have a fracture in one of your front teeth, keep smiling because many cosmetic dentists specialize in this area.
You can find them by searching online or asking around at your local dental office for some references since these guys will work with you financially so that everyone wins when it comes time for payment. A broken tooth usually won’t require coverage under your insurance policy so expect full payment up front if the dentist you go to doesn’t offer their financing plans to assist with cost reduction. This way, you can still get the dental care you need without having any problems paying off what was owed and setting up a plan to pay for future treatment as well.