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Broken teeth

Our teeth are very strong but despite this, the stresses and strains of our everyday life can still cause them to chip, crack or break.

Common cause of these breaks can include:

  • Chewing on hard foods
  • Facial trauma following an accident
  • Damage from a sports injury
  • Untreated cavities causing the tooth to become brittle and break
  • Old, large amalgam fillings, where the remaining structure of the natural tooth can become brittle

Broken teeth can cause varying degrees of pain, from extremely painful, to discomfort triggered by hot or cold foods or drink, even to no signs of immediate pain. However, in order to prevent further damage or infection which could result in the loss of the tooth, it’s important to book an appointment with your Durban Dental Centre dentist as soon as possible.

Treatment of a broken or chipped tooth will depend on how severely it is damaged. For small breaks or chips it may be possible to repair in a single visit with a simple filling or bonding. For more severe breaks, multiple visits may be required to repair the break with multiple treatments.

Treatment for fractures and broken teeth

Teeth with minor chips on the edges usually don’t cause any pain or problems, but your Durban Dental Centre dentist will most likely repair a chip by smoothing the edge and inserting a tooth-coloured filling to prevent it from cutting your lips or tongue.

Heavily fractured and seriously broken teeth may need more complex treatment. For instance, a large cavity that causes a major fracture or break, causing pain and infection, may need root canal treatment. Cracks and breaks may expose your nerve endings, making the teeth sensitive to hot and cold air and foods.

Root canal treatment isn’t always necessary if your teeth are chipped or broken, though. Where there’s no pain or infection, cracks are filled and bound together with a specialised tooth cement, while a broken tooth will be fixed with a crown. Crowns are also used as part of the treatment for other types of splits and breaks, such as broken cusps, split roots/vertical breaks, split molars, and as a buttress against further cracks. If your tooth has decayed from the inside-out and is now broken, your Durban Dental Centre dentist may recommend that your tooth is removed.

Sometimes, if you have a cracked or broken tooth, it may not be noticeable because it doesn’t hurt. But no matter how minor these problems are, they should still be investigated by your dentist, as infections can arise if the problem isn’t treated with antibiotics. The best course of action is, as always, a good oral hygiene regime and regular reviews with the dentist.

What to do if you break your tooth

If you’ve fractured or broken a tooth, follow these steps immediately before booking an appointment with Durban Dental Centre.

  • Rinse your mouth out with warm water
  • Apply pressure on any bleeding areas using gauze or a wet teabag
  • Apply an icepack to your cheek if there’s any swelling
  • If you have access to it, cover any major cracks with temporary dental cement
  • If it’s painful, use an over the counter pain reliever such as paracetamol
  • Cover any broken teeth with milk, saliva or saline solution

As with any teeth problems, if you have fractured or chipped a tooth it's important to book an appointment at Durban Dental Centre to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review. We will discuss the best method of repairing the break with you.

At Durban Dental Centre in East Sussex we use resin composite fillings to match the colour of your teeth and ensure a long-lasting and natural-looking result. We also offer porcelain crowns, inlays and onlays as successful options for repairing cracked, broken, decayed or heavily filled teeth. They are hardwearing and can be colour-matched perfectly to your own teeth.

If you would like to discuss concerns with any broken or chipped teeth give us a call on 01892 652377.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Durban Dental Centre. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

812 Reviews

5.0

11th December 2024

have been with Durban for many years and never had a problem.

10th December 2024

Friendly and professional staff - good appointment times and short waiting time. Monthly payment plan is very helpful too. Overall cost is reasonable in any case

10th December 2024

Everyone was helpful and kind. My dentist Ashley Sim is brilliant..so kind , gentle an£ efficient.

8th December 2024

The really competent friendly Ashley

7th December 2024

I’ve had a bad experience with another practice which left me in terrible pain for couple of weeks following treatment although they knew there was a problem. I’d contacted Durban out of desperation. I was seen quickly and interim treatment started. It felt very professional and calm. I felt in good hands. I didn’t return to the previous practice. The Hygienist at Durban really reassures me through out the treatment. Checking I’m ok. Telling me the next step. Just that interaction helps me relax and feel comfortable.

6th December 2024

I am always overwhelmed by the kindness and sensitivity of the team. I know I'm going to be getting the best treatment money can buy.

6th December 2024

It’s always has been very professional

6th December 2024

Great, friendly staff. Ability to nervously patient at ease.

4th December 2024

Ashley and his team have been amazing. Over the last few years I have had a lot of work done. Considering what was done suffered no pain or aching jaw afterwards.

2nd December 2024

All staff are friendly, efficient, and explain what they are doing. If further treatment us required then it is fully explained why. Costs of future treatments are provided. Reception make booking in, paying and making next appointment easy. They try to a accommodate your requirements.

29th November 2024

Because I have been going there since it started and I would never go anywhere else.

29th November 2024

Good treatments. Professional environment.

29th November 2024

A very professional team look after you from the moment you inform the receptionist of your arrival to the time you leave

29th November 2024

A good experience all round

PT

Paul Toben

Great Team at Durban Dental Centre! Always impressed with all the staff at my Dentist. From the smiling welcome every-time I go, to the great care and attention from my Dentist, Dental Nurse and Hygienist. Latest visit was for two fillings, something I’ve not had for probably 40 years. Minimal pain, explained what was being done, constantly checked I was okay, and the end result is great. Thank you!

25th November 2024

Everyone kind and understanding.

24th November 2024

Welcoming receptionists, appointments run to time, very clean, parking available.

23rd November 2024

The competency of the staff.

23rd November 2024

Manages to be both professional and human.

23rd November 2024

Hygenist and staff all extremely competent, and very friendly

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