Tooth fracture
Teeth with large fillings:
In teeth with large fillings, the tooth substance around the filling is weakened. When you chew, thin cracks can eventually develop in the tooth. These cracks develop under the filling and usually run at an angle away from the dental nerve. Over time, these cracks can cause part of the tooth to break and fall out. In some cases, the tooth breaks because you chew on something hard, but this is often not the case. Rather, it is the total load over time that is decisive and the timing of the tooth fracture is often random.
If a tooth breaks in this way, you should contact a dentist as soon as possible to have it repaired.
Root-filled teeth:
Teeth that are root filled or undergoing root canal treatment are particularly prone to fracture. Such teeth have often had large and deep holes that have been repaired with fillings. Therefore, the remaining tooth substance will be weakened. When the tooth is to be rooted, an opening must also be made into the nerve, which will further weaken the tooth. It is also seen that the tooth “dries out” when the nerve is cleaned away, which can contribute to the development of already existing cracks. A tooth that is undergoing root canal treatment is filled with a bactericidal ointment and sealed with a temporary filling. If part of the tooth or the temporary filling breaks, there is a risk that new bacteria can enter and re-infect the tooth. You should therefore contact your dentist as soon as possible if this happens.
Filling that breaks:
In the same way as teeth, fillings can also break. This can happen, for example, if you are unlucky and put too much strain on the filling when chewing. However, it is often the case that the filling is weakened at the front, for example because it has a hole in the edge. A filling with a hole in the edge will withstand less chewing pressure and break more easily. It is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible if you have a cracked filling. This is particularly important if the fractured piece of filling remains in place. It will then be impossible to keep it clean and any hole under the filling will quickly become larger.
Treatment of broken teeth:
Filling therapy:
In many cases, a broken tooth can be repaired with a filling. You will first remove the old filling in the tooth and then build up with a tooth-colored filling in plastic (composite).
Crown therapy:
If the tooth is very weakened, it may turn out that a large filling build-up will not be strong enough. This can be especially true for root-filled teeth. In this case, a ceramic crown (porcelain crown) may be a better alternative. Having a ceramic crown made involves grinding and shaping the tooth so that a porcelain tooth can be cemented onto it.
The porcelain tooth is made by a dental technician and is stronger and more attractive than a conventional filling. However, the process is time-consuming and technically difficult for both the dentist and the dental technician. That’s why the price for a crown is higher than for a regular filling.