Why did a piece of my tooth break off?
A cracked or fractured tooth can be the result of your age, or if you have the bad habit of grinding your teeth, an injury, and other causes. You might not have any readily identifiable symptoms of a fractured tooth. Or you could be experiencing some pain, sensitivity, and even possible soft tissue swelling. Your dentist can identify the cause and treat the broken tooth with several options, depending on the location and severity of the crack.
A fractured tooth is when a crack appears in a tooth. The crack can often be quite small and harmless. Other times, it can result in a portion of your tooth breaking off.
Tooth fractures are the most common in both children and again in older people, although anyone can crack a tooth at any age. If you think you have a broken tooth, visit your dentist soon.
What are The Parts of a Tooth that Crack?
Every tooth consists of two parts:
- The crown which is the visible part above your gums.
- The root or roots which are below your gums.
The crown and the root system share several layers:
- The Enamel: The hard white outer surface.
- Dentin: Which is the middle layer of the tooth.
- The Pulp: The soft inner tissue at the center of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves.
A fracture can affect some or all these layers. The proper treatment depends on where the fracture is located and the severity of the fracture.
A broken tooth can be painful or feel sensitive, although some fractures can cause no symptoms. Seeing your dentist for an exam and getting treatment sooner will be beneficial for the damaged tooth.
Frequent Causes for a Fractured, Cracked, or Broken Tooth
The most common causes can be:
- Aging, with more tooth cracks happening after the age of fifty.
- Biting on hard foods.
- Unhealthy habits, such as ice chewing or a pencil.
- A large dental filling or a root canal, which both weaken the tooth.
- Teeth grinding or clenching.
- Trauma, such as a fall, a sports injury, or an accident.
Breaks, cracks, and fractures happen most often on your upper front teeth and your lower molars. Most often people fracture just one tooth, but an injury or trauma can damage multiple teeth. If you currently have dental cavities, you have a higher risk of tooth fractures.
Common Symptoms of a Cracked, Fractured, or Broken Tooth
A cracked tooth does not always have symptoms. Main symptoms include:
- Pain or discomfort, especially when biting or chewing.
- A sensitivity increase with temperature changes.
- Swelling of the gum around the tooth.
- A throbbing, consistent toothache when biting.
When A Damaged Tooth Escalates
A cracked tooth can lead to an infection, or a tooth abscess. Schedule an appointment to see your dentist if you notice these symptoms:
- Constant tooth pain.
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes.
- Bad breath (halitosis).
- A fever.
- Swollen gums.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
The Broken Tooth Restoration Process
Repairing your broken tooth can take one visit or several depending on the proper treatment necessary. Your dentist will propose your solution and the duration. For example:
- Dental bonding: Simple and completed in one hour.
- A dental crown: Your dentist can fit a permanent dental crown in two appointments.
- An extraction: The extraction is immediate but replacing the lost tooth with a dental bridge or dental implant can take longer.
- Veneers: It can take three to four weeks to create custom veneers.