A fractured or cracked tooth may involve minor tooth structures and can be significantly sizeable. This results in varying symptoms, making it difficult to identify a tooth fracture yourself.
Until you can visit a dental emergency clinic for diagnosis, here are some tooth fracture symptoms that you should look out for and the treatments that your emergency dentist can offer.
5 Signs You May Have A Tooth Fracture
Several signs point to a possible fractured or cracked tooth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage and complications.
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Pain upon biting or chewing
A fractured tooth usually does not present with persistent pain. Pain is often described as localised and only arises during eating or whenever you bite. This is a good indicator of a tooth fracture and means you should visit the dental emergency clinic.
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Increased tooth sensitivity
Another of the tooth fracture symptoms to watch out for is tooth sensitivity, especially when consuming hot, cold, sticky, or sour food and drinks. While this can also mean other dental problems, such as tooth decay, it’s best to see an emergency dentist for a proper diagnosis.
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Inflammation of the gums
Redness and swelling of the gums surrounding the infected tooth are also symptoms of a fractured tooth. The gums may be painful to the touch, and whenever you brush the area.
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Tooth feels loose in the mouth
A fractured tooth may extend from the biting surface down to the root to split the tooth in half. This is called a cracked or split tooth. Because of the more extensive fracture, the tooth may feel loose in its socket.
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Fever, swollen lymph nodes
These are systemic symptoms of tooth fracture, which may indicate infection. If the crack or damage on the tooth is left untreated for too long, bacteria may occupy the space along the fracture line to infect the inside of the tooth. This is a problem, especially for tooth fractures that involve the tooth pulp.
When should you visit a dentist?
Now that you better understand the tooth fracture symptoms, when is a dental visit needed? A fractured tooth is a common dental emergency. It requires immediate dental care for the relief of pain and to prevent severe consequences, including tooth loss. So, even if it is just a tiny fracture on the tooth, visit your emergency dentist for early diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment For A Fractured Tooth
The treatment for a tooth fracture depends on the structures involved and the extent of the damage.
Restoration of the tooth
A broken tooth can be repaired with tooth bonding, dental filling, or a dental crown. The emergency dentist recommends these if the tooth pulp is not affected and no infection is present.
Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is a better solution if the tooth is infected and the pulp is inflamed. This involves cleaning the root canal and removing the bacteria causing infection. Afterwards, your dentist will restore the tooth’s health, function, and appearance with a crown or onlay.
Tooth extraction and replacement
However, not all fractured teeth are restorable. Sometimes, a tooth fracture may involve a split tooth extending from the tooth surface to the root. This may also happen in cracked tooth syndrome.
For this, your emergency dentist may recommend a tooth extraction. Then, they will help you explore our comprehensive options for tooth replacement to renew your smile.
Emergency Dental Care at West Ryde
At My Local Dentists West Ryde, we provide our patients with efficient treatment solutions for any dental emergency and pain, including a fractured tooth. Call us at (02) 9809 7000 to schedule an emergency dentistry appointment and experience high-quality dental care when you need us most.
References
PubMed – Correlation between symptoms and external cracked tooth characteristics
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5376224/
PubMed – Associations of Types of Pain with Crack-Level, Tooth-Level and Patient-Level Characteristics in Posterior Teeth with Visible Cracks
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5939962/
Cleveland Clinic – Teeth Sensitivity
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10954-teeth-sensitivity
PubMed – Diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3467890/#:~:text=Cracked%20tooth%20is%20defined%20as,Cameron%20in%201964.%5B1%5D
NCBI – Tooth Fracture
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551650/