What To Do If You Break Or Chip A Tooth

The teeth can get damaged in different ways. It can be broken, chipped, or cracked. Either way, it can be excruciating, and the damage done can be minor or major depending on certain things like the type of injury and the condition of the teeth. Nonetheless, any damage done to the teeth can only be fixed by seeing a dentist unless it is a minor chip. 

While you wait to see the dentist, you should take actions to address the pain as well as to protect your tooth and your mouth from further injury. You can contact us at Emergency Dentist London for any case of a broken tooth in London.

What to do if you have a broken or chipped tooth

It is not advisable to attempt to fix a broken or chipped tooth at home; however, there are some things you can do to protect your mouth and tooth from further injury.

• What to do after breaking your tooth

If your tooth is broken or chipped, the first thing to do is to rinse and clean the mouth using warm water. If there is any bleeding, apply pressure to that point to stop the bleeding, and also place a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling. Wrap the piece of broken or chipped tooth with you if you have it, and bring it along with you when seeing the dentist. 

• What to do if you lose a tooth

If the tooth is completely removed from the socket, grasp it by the crown using a gauze pad, and try to put it back into the socket if possible.  Rinse the tooth with water if it looks dirty, but do not scrub or rub it. Do not clean it with any solution either, and do not remove any bits of tissue on it. 

If you cannot put it back into its socket, place it in a glass of milk, water, or saline solution and try to see a dentist within 30 minutes.

Treatment for a broken or chipped tooth

Treatment for a broken or chipped tooth will depend on the extent of the damage, in this case, the chip or breakage, and the position of the damage. The treatment options for broken or chipped tooth includes;

• Polishing 

This becomes a treatment option when the chip or damage is slight. In this case, the dentist simply polishes the surface of the chipped or broken edge. It is actually referred to as cosmetic contouring and may also involve dental bonding to fill in gaps and fissures.

• Root canal treatment 

Root canal treatment becomes a treatment option when the crack or chip is deeper and extends beyond the surface of the tooth and into the pulp. It is applicable when the issue requires a more extensive repair. For this treatment, the infected pulp is removed by an Endodontist, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned. It is then filled and sealed with a material called gutta-percha and then covered or capped with a dental crown.

• Surgery

Surgery can be recommended in certain cases, for example, when there is a possibility that there may be hidden cracks. Surgery can be carried out to find those cracks or hidden canals that are not captured during an x-ray. Surgeries can also be performed to remove calcium deposits from a previous root canal.

• Extraction

In some cases, cracks or deeper dental issues may not be resolved through root canal treatment. Extraction is often recommended by some endodontists, depending on the depth of the crack. For example, 98.48 % of endodontists may choose to extract the tooth in the case of a split tooth. Also, an extraction may be recommended if the crack extends below the gum line.

Cost of fixing a broken or chipped tooth

The cost of fixing a broken or chipped tooth is dependent on certain factors like your location, the extent of the damage, and the dentist you choose to consult. While some dental procedures can be covered by insurance, it all depends on your package. Nonetheless, cosmetic procedures cost between £2,500 - £3,000, and the cost for extraction and replacement with implant ranges from £3,000 -£ 5,000.

Protecting your mouth and teeth is important; however, accidents can happen. If you have a chipped or broken tooth, you can contact us and fix your broken tooth through Emergency Dentist London. 

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