What Happens If You Ignore a Cracked or Broken Tooth?
A cracked or broken tooth can happen at the most inconvenient times, whether you bite down on hard candy or take an accidental hit during a softball game. If the tooth doesn’t hurt right away, it can be tempting to ignore the damage and deal with it later. But even a small crack or fracture can worsen over time and lead to more serious dental problems. Dr. Battise-Flores and her team at Traditions Dental have put together a guide outlining why you should never ignore a cracked or broken tooth and the complications that may happen when treatment is delayed.
What Can Happen If You Delay Treating a Cracked or Broken Tooth?
A cracked or broken tooth is more than a cosmetic concern. Because your teeth cannot heal themselves, even minor damage can worsen over time. Without treatment, a broken tooth may lead to a host of complications, including the following:
- Sensitivity and Pain: A chipped or cracked tooth can expose the underlying dentin, leading to sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages. If the damage reaches the tooth’s nerve, it can cause significant pain and discomfort.
- Spreading Infection: A tooth crack or fracture can provide harmful bacteria an entryway to the inner pulp, leading to infection or even a painful abscess. An untreated infection can spread to the surrounding gums, jawbone, or other tissues, and may even enter the bloodstream and affect other areas of the body, posing a serious risk to your health.
- Further Tooth Damage: Normal biting and chewing can cause a small fracture to deepen or extend below the gumline, making the tooth more difficult to restore. Severe fractures or infections can eventually make a tooth impossible to save.
- More Extensive Treatment: Early damage may be simple to treat, while a worsening fracture may require more extensive treatment or may even need extraction. An extracted tooth may require replacement with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to maintain the alignment and function of your smile.
Treating a broken tooth early gives Dr. Battise-Flores and her team the best opportunity to prevent further damage and preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
When Should You Seek Care?
If you’ve chipped or cracked a tooth, don’t wait. Contact Traditions Dental for emergency care. Dr. Battise-Flores and her team will evaluate the affected tooth to determine the extent of damage and the best course of treatment. They may use digital X-rays or CBCT imaging to visualize areas of concern.
Depending on the extent of damage, Dr. Battise-Flores may recommend the following treatment options:
- Dental Bonding: For a minor chip, Dr. Battise-Flores may use a tooth-colored composite resin material to rebuild the damaged area and restore the tooth’s appearance and function.
- Dental Crown: If a larger portion of the tooth is damaged but the tooth can still be saved, your College Station dentist may recommend a dental crown to restore your affected tooth’s strength, function, and natural appearance.
- Root Canal Therapy: If a tooth crack reaches the pulp and causes inflammation or infection, root canal therapy may be necessary to relieve your discomfort and preserve the natural tooth.
- Tooth Extraction: If a crack extends deep below the gumline or the tooth is too damaged to restore, extraction may be the only viable option. Dr. Battise-Flores can also discuss tooth replacement options to help restore your bite and smile.
Signs you need urgent attention include severe pain, swelling, fever, a pimple-like bump on the gums, or a bad taste in the mouth. These symptoms may indicate a severe infection or abscess that can cause serious health risks without prompt treatment.
Note: If you experience a life-threatening emergency, such as severe swelling that is affecting your airway or difficulty breathing, call 911 or head to your nearest hospital emergency room without delay.
Emergency Dental Care Near Me in College Station, TX
If you have a cracked or broken tooth, don’t wait. Contact Traditions Dental for emergency dental care. Dr. Battise-Flores and her patient-centered team will evaluate the extent of damage and recommend the most conservative treatment option to relieve any discomfort and get your smile back on track as soon as possible. We invite you to call 979-608-0242 or visit us online to request an appointment today.