A broken tooth can result from extensive tooth decay, dental trauma or accident, and previous tooth cracks that have worsened.
If you have a broken tooth, you should schedule a visit with your dentist for immediate pain relief and treatment as soon as possible. No matter how small or big the damage is.
The severity of the case usually dictates how your dentist will treat your broken tooth. While some teeth can be restored with dental fillings, others may need root canal treatment and a dental crown.
Carry on reading to learn more about a broken tooth and when a root canal treatment is needed to fix it.
When is a root canal needed?
There are several reasons why your dentist may include root canal therapy in your treatment plan. Some usual ones are:
- Large decay
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Infection
Root canal treatment helps restore the health of the tooth by devitalizing and removing the pulp to eliminate the cause of infection. Then, the tooth is reinforced with a filling, onlay, or crown for strength and aesthetics.
Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
One of the possible indications for root canal treatment is a broken tooth. While many patients use the term cracked, chipped, or broken interchangeably, these actually mean different things. Let’s take a closer look at each:
- Cracked tooth – this involves a fracture line that runs across the tooth. The most common symptom is pain when biting, and the treatment plan may also involve root canal therapy or tooth extraction if the crack extends below the gum line.
- Chipped tooth – usually a minor case concerning a nick on the tooth enamel. This case is often treated with tooth bonding.
- Broken tooth – if a significant portion of the tooth breaks off, this is called a broken tooth. Depending on the size of the damage, your dentist may recommend composite bonding, root canal and crown, or extraction if untreatable.
When will a broken tooth require a root canal?
So, how does your dentist choose the best solution for your broken tooth? The most important tool to help plan your treatment is an X-ray. With this, we can check the health of the tooth and the extent of the damage.
The marker is always the tooth pulp.
The dental pulp is the lifeline of the tooth, located in its innermost part. If the pulp is affected or if the break on the tooth is bordering the pulp, root canal treatment and a crown are definitely needed for an effective and long-lasting restoration. Otherwise, a dental filling or an onlay may suffice.
Broken tooth treatment with root canal
Root canal treatment involves a series of steps to rehabilitate the health, structure, and appearance of a broken tooth. The goal is to eliminate bacteria and infection inside the tooth and reinforce its physical properties to help it function normally.
In a nutshell, here’s what you can expect if you are going to your dentist for a broken tooth repair through root canal:
- Cleaning the canal
First, the inside of the tooth needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove the pulp, bacteria, and debris. This is especially with a broken tooth that has the inside of the pulp exposed. Each canal is accessed, filed, and shaped using small files to help prepare it to receive a root canal filler.
- Medicating the tooth
If there is an infection present, medication is inserted into the canal. This helps to shrink the infection until it completely dissolves and the tooth’s health is restored. This process may take a few visits depending on how large the infection is. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics for severe cases.
- Filling the canal
When the tooth is returned to optimal health, the next step is to seal and fill the canal. This prevents any bacteria from seeping into the tooth, causing reinfection.
- Placing a final restoration
Because a root-canal treated tooth does not have a pulp, it does not receive nutrients to keep it as strong as your healthy, natural tooth. So, for added protection, your dentist may suggest a dental crown.
A dental crown is a tooth-coloured, fixed dental prosthesis. It caps the vulnerable tooth to provide structural reinforcement and an aesthetically-pleasing look.
Broken Tooth – FAQs
After treatment of a cracked tooth, will my tooth completely heal?
Your tooth should be as good as new after root canal therapy and the placement of a dental crown. However, be more mindful when using it to chew and eat hard or chewy food. Because no matter how skillfully done your treatment was, there is nothing as reliable as a healthy, natural tooth.
What can I do to prevent my teeth from cracking?
The outermost part of the tooth is called the enamel. This thick layer of highly protective material is the strongest substance in the body. But, despite it being well-built to withstand heavy biting and chewing, the enamel still has its limitations.
Avoid beating down your teeth regularly with hard or chewy food, as the enamel will wear down quickly. Do not chew ice. Do not bite on anything that is not food, as when using your teeth as a bottle opener. Also, if you are of older age, take it easy with applying excessive chewing forces on the teeth, as the enamel layer may have naturally thinned out already, making it more prone to breaking.
Broken Tooth Fix at Sierra Dental
If you have a broken tooth, all roads lead to Sierra Dental. Our expert dentists are here to provide suitable treatment using advanced dental technology and the most innovative approach in root canal therapy.
Schedule your visit today, and let us help bring back the beauty of your smile!