Half my tooth broke off
If you lose a tooth, it needs to be replaced to protect your mouth. What happens when you only break a portion of your tooth off, but there is otherwise healthy bone tissue left behind? There are partial tooth replacement options that can protect the area, and save the healthy tooth material. However, you should see a dentist promptly to examine the area, and the root cause of the breakage.
Why you should replace a partially broken tooth
A broken tooth may leave sharp edges. These edges will cause microabrasions, small cuts to the gums and tongue. There is a lot of blood circulated in the tissues of your mouth, which means a lot of bleeding if the area is cut. You also have a vulnerability within the gum tissues for bacteria. Any sort of open space is a doorway for infection.
What causes broken teeth?
Broken teeth can happen at any time, for any number of reasons. You could be chewing something crunchy, or bump into something and hit your jaw. The underlying cause can be a little more complex though. You could break your tooth while chewing granola, but the tooth was most likely compromised by infection or harmful bacteria.
Without proper hygiene food particles will harden, forming plaque. Plaque is hotspot for bacteria to linger and meetup. Over time, these groupings of bacteria will find their way into the tissue of your teeth and gums and destroy them, inflaming the area and causing infection. In a partially broken tooth, the infection may have simply attacked one side, but you will need proper care and diagnosis to protect the other. Gum disease, bone disease, and trauma can all also cause partial tooth breakage.
What to do if you break half of your tooth?
Make an appointment immediately. Consult with your dentist, and get a thorough examination of the tooth and support structure. You want your dentist to take x rays as well, so you can be prepared for replacement options, and safeguard against infection or disease progression. Ask about the best replacement options for your dental health scenario.
Teeth replacement options
For a partial tooth replacement there are a ton of great options.
* Veneers- Veneers are a viable option if the remaining tooth material is secure and healthy. Veneers only require a small amount of viable tooth material, and a beautiful porcelain replacement tooth is affixed. Veneers are a very popular option for their ivory-white aesthetic charm.
* Crowns- Crowns can be attached to the tooth root or a broken tooth to replace lost bone material. The can be matched to your other teeth, and no one will know the difference.
* Composite Bonds- For a quick fix, Dentist can often use a composite resin which can be shaped like the surface of your tooth atop healthy tooth structure. After a short setting time, this composite becomes strong and durable like your original teeth. This is an excellent option for replacing a cracked molar, because it will not stick out.
Next steps
Reach out to a dentist today. Begin with a full cleaning and examination, discuss insurance options, and begin learning about what options are right for your tooth replacement.