You may be enjoying your favorite snack, bite down on it, and feel half your tooth break off seemingly without warning. The truth is, your tooth has been damaged over time, and the bite was the last needed pressure to crack it in half. Regardless of the reason, not only does half of a missing tooth leave a change to your smile, but it can take away all of your confidence. The problems will not stop with adjustment to your look, but you will start to experience pain, you will not be able to chew well, and the inner layers of your tooth will be exposed if you do not seek treatment from the dentist.
In cases where your tooth has a chunk missing, the tooth that is still in your mouth will not have the same strength as it did when it was whole. The hard outer layer of enamel protects the softer layers beneath it. When the enamel is compromised, the soft dentin tissue is left without protection. There are microscopic channels in the dentin that lead to the tooth nerve, and the nerve is more sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. The sensitivity can start mild, but it can progress to a sharp pain depending on how much of the dentin is exposed. Not only is the remaining half of your tooth more sensitive, but it can also become infected more easily. Bacteria have more access to your tooth, increasing the risk of infection significantly.
When you lose part of your tooth, the way your teeth line up to form your bite will change, and chewing can be more difficult when your teeth no longer meet properly. Or the side of your mouth with the broken tooth can be sensitive to pressure, so you may need to chew only on the other side of your mouth. Repeatedly chewing like this will cause uneven pressure on the remaining teeth and jaw joints with muscle fatigue, uneven wear and tear of the teeth, and change your bite in the long run.
Half of a tooth is likely to leave the nearby gums tender and even swollen if the sharp edge from the break repeatedly irritates the gums. Over time, chronic inflammation of your gums leaves them less able to counteract bacteria and more susceptible to infection as long as bacteria are present. If the break has caused damage to any part of the tooth that sits below the gum line, the tooth socket can be affected. Untreated infections in the gum and tooth socket can lead to bone loss and gum recession. If you would like to avoid tissue grafting or oral surgery, then you will want to address your broken tooth promptly.
If the break of your tooth does not affect the inner pulp chamber, then the dentist may be able to place a crown over the tooth. A dental crown will not only restore the appearance of your tooth, but it also offers functionality and will help you from losing your tooth. The dentist will work to protect the remaining tooth structure, alleviate your pain, and restore your ability to chew.
If you have more questions about broken teeth or how addressing them could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see your treatment options for broken teeth.