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Broken Front Tooth! Now What?

Home Common Dental Issues & ProceduresBroken Front Tooth! Now What?
Broken Front Tooth - Now What? Chicago, IL Emergency Dentist

Broken Front Tooth! Now What?

May 31, 2017 Common Dental Issues & Procedures
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There are few dental traumas worse than breaking a front tooth. A broken front tooth impairs your ability to eat and talk, and there’s the embarrassment that comes from missing such a key part of your smile.

The time just after breaking or losing a front tooth requires quick decisions made from solid information. Like a lot of medical issues, there are a lot of myths and old wives tales out there about what to do or not to do.

Let us help you separate fact from fiction so you can get on track toward restoring your smile quickly.

What’s the Status of Your Broken Front Tooth?

All of the information in this post applies to dental injuries that occur as a result of a trauma, not because of tooth decay. A broken front tooth sounds simple, but there are actually several varieties of trauma that a person can suffer. Each has its own symptoms and treatment plan:

Loose Tooth

Did you know teeth can have concussions? A tooth concussion is another name for a loose tooth as a result of taking a hit to the mouth. It is typically accompanied by bleeding and mild to moderate pain.

If your tooth is still in tact but a little loose, you might be feeling lucky because you were spared the worst. That might be true, but it does not mean you can sit back and relax. Depending on the strength of the hit, the tooth might have damage to the root or have been pushed into your jaw, neither of which are visible to you.

Because of this, it’s important to seek emergency dental treatment as soon as possible after the concussion occurs.

Broken Tooth

A broken tooth occurs when a substantial piece of the tooth is knocked out, often exposing its roots and pulp. This will look like a mixture of white, dark, and red areas. If you suffer a broken tooth, you will likely be in moderate to severe pain and will feel the need to see a dentist as soon as possible. Left untreated, broken teeth can result in severe pain, infection, swelling, and a potential medical emergency.

Knocked Out Tooth (Tooth Avulsion)

A tooth that’s been completely knocked out, also known as a dental avulsion, will result in the most bleeding of these three traumas. Much like any other wound, apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. Head for the emergency room if the bleeding does not stop within 30 minutes, or if you have a history of problems with clotting after an injury.

If you can find the tooth, place it in milk (or water or saliva if milk is not available) to preserve it until you are able to get to the dentist. Do not touch or attempt to scrub the tooth’s root.

Dental Emergency – What to Expect at the Dentist

In most situations the dentist will take X-rays of the affected area to determine the severity of the situation, then create a treatment plan for temporary and permanent solutions based on the severity of the injury.

Each situation is different, but if the original tooth can be saved, the dentist will usually try to save it. If the front tooth is broken then it may be splinted to the teeth on either side to help keep it stable while it heals. For an avulsed tooth, the dentist may want to try to reinsert the tooth. If the tooth can be reinserted, this is the best case scenario, however, expect a few follow up appointments for the dentist to monitor the healing of the tooth.

If the broken front tooth cannot be saved, the doctor will discuss your options for short and long term tooth replacement options. These may include a crown, bridge, implant, or partial denture.

Get Help Quickly

Your tooth is not going to heal on its own, so it’s important to get to the dentist as soon as possible after the trauma occurs. Not seeking medical care can lead to an infection or the possibility that a partially-damaged tooth would need to be completely extracted.

1st Family Dental offers a 24-hour call center and after-hours appointments for patients in the Chicago, IL area that need emergency dental services. If you are in or near one of our Chicago area dental clinics, call us today!

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Have a question about broken front teeth? Join us in the comments below!

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Next: The Cost of Not Replacing a Missing Tooth

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12 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Beverly
    · Reply

    May 23, 2018 at 10:43 AM

    Hi, I have a front tooth that broke off this morning, really embarrase to open my mouth is there something I can use, like fixodent to hold back in place until I see a Dentist.

    Thank you, Beverly

  • Nyoka
    · Reply

    October 30, 2017 at 1:26 AM

    Im new to the area and need to get my front tooth removed. It looks like it may have had a cavity from the inside out cuz its busted up bad and half the tooth is missing. Its super sensitive to hot and cold and if i touch it with anything it shoots pain. I am not eligble for medical insirance and need to find a dentist that can get this tooth out asap but is decently cheap on prices and accets cash

    • 1st Family Dental
      · Reply

      October 30, 2017 at 8:34 PM

      Nyoka, please call our office and we can get your appointment scheduled.

  • renea
    · Reply

    October 13, 2017 at 4:21 PM

    if a front tooth has been broke in half what should you do if u cant get into a dentist right away

    • 1st Family Dental
      · Reply

      October 16, 2017 at 7:24 AM

      Renea, try to get into the dentist as soon as possible.

  • Dental Office of Dr. Nicholas S. St. George D.D.S.
    · Reply

    September 12, 2017 at 1:43 PM

    Thanks for posting, a patient should know their options in an emergency situation!

  • Sheri
    · Reply

    July 10, 2017 at 5:34 PM

    I had broke my left front too that wasn’t too painful at first but now its chipping all the way to the gum! I’m I’m severe pain now and the gum and sinus over the tooth are in a intolerable pain!

    • 1st Family Dental
      · Reply

      July 11, 2017 at 12:05 AM

      Sheri, please get in to see us as soon as possible. Call us or feel free to email me directly: vicky@1fd.org. Thank you

      – Vicky K.
      (Marketing Director)

  • Desmond
    · Reply

    June 28, 2017 at 2:09 AM

    Nice article!

  • Manish Ahuja
    · Reply

    June 22, 2017 at 11:29 PM

    My mother has all tooth broken in front. Should i go for implant ?

  • jack wiliam
    · Reply

    June 14, 2017 at 6:49 AM

    nice post.this blog is very knowledgeable.

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