Broken molar
The premolars and molars are counted among the molars. These are, in contrast to the incisors, intended for crushing food and can break easily. Very large chewing forces act on the teeth when chewing, so that biting on a hard candy or bone is very likely to cause teeth to break.
This happens even more easily if the teeth are root canal treated or carious, because then their substance is weakened. In most cases such changes are not visible due to the posterior position in the oral cavity itself. With a broken molar, a quick visit to the dentist should be aimed for, so that the existing fracture is closed as quickly as possible.
It can have sharp edges and be easily attacked by bacteria. Here too, a fracture may not be visible, so if you are concerned, it is better to play it safe and seek specialist advice. In many cases it is not necessary to break something off the tooth immediately, but an older filling can be affected, which generally becomes more susceptible to fracture over time.
Broken off incisor
After a fall or trauma, most often one of the incisors fractures due to its anatomical position. After an accident, it is advisable to visit a doctor or hospital as soon as possible to exclude or treat a craniocerebral trauma. If the craniocerebral trauma is ruled out, the dentist should be consulted in order to clarify the further therapy of the incisor. If the tooth is not only fractured but also loose, it must be splinted so that the separated fibers can regenerate and strengthen the tooth. Depending on its size, the broken-off piece can be filled with plastic, and if the pulp marrow is open, it can be treated with a root canal treatment and a subsequent crown.
Broken canine tooth
If the canine tooth breaks off, almost the same applies as for an incisor. After clarification of the cranio-cerebral trauma, a dentist should be consulted quickly to treat the fractured tooth. Depending on the size of the defect, the lesion can be filled, root canal filled with opened pulp, crowned or, in case of a very deep defect, the tooth can be extracted.
A tooth that is broken off does not necessarily cause pain in every case. In most cases, the affected patient does not feel any problems due to the loss of tooth substance. A broken tooth that does not cause pain does not necessarily have to be taken to a dentist in a timely manner.
However, it should be noted that there is an increased risk of caries formation along the edges of the fracture. This fact is due to the fact that the fracture edges are usually not completely flat, but have indentations and for this reason, food residues accumulate there. As a result, a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens develops along the edges of the fracture.
It can also be observed that a broken tooth reacts more sensitively to thermal stimuli (hot/cold) over time. Immediate contact with a dental emergency service is only recommended in the case of a (front) tooth that has been broken off in an accident. In some cases, a broken tooth can lead to severe pain and/or biting problems.
This pain is usually the symptom of nerve irritation or damage. Pain on a tooth that has broken off can either be caused by a direct mechanical injury to the nerve or be the consequence of a carious defect in the area of the fracture edge. Pain on a broken tooth cannot generally be permanently relieved without dental treatment. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can usually only temporarily suppress the pain.The method of first choice in case of a painful broken tooth is the removal of the affected root of the tooth and closing the root canal with a suitable filling material.
