What problems can having a broken tooth or broken/lost filling cause?
A broke tooth, broken filling, or lost filling can result in serious dental emergencies if left for a prolonged time. Breaking something on your tooth or filling can result in:
Toothache
The toothache can range from a mild sensitivity to an excruciating pain. The milder the pain generally the less damaged the nerve in the tooth is and the less urgent the problem. However, if left un-treated, a mild pain can develop into a severe toothache with greater long-term consequences for the tooth.
Leakage of bacteria into the tooth and nerve
A broken tooth or filling that doesn’t result in immediate toothache will often lead to delayed problems if left un-treated. Bacteria leaking into the exposed tooth can result in damage to the nerve within the tooth which can lead to death of the tooth and major problems long-term such as the development of a dental abscess.
What treatment options do I have?
Depending on the individual tooth circumstances, treatment options can range from fillings, crowns or onlays/veneers, root canal treatments or in the worse cases, an extraction.
When to visit an emergency dentist for a broken tooth or lost filling
A broken tooth or filling should be assessed as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome. The 247 Dentist can provide either a temporary solution, or a definitive long-term filling to ensure that any toothache is dealt with promptly and reduce the risk of the tooth needing future root canal treatment or removal. In the worst case scenarios, extraction of the broken tooth can be provided promptly to avoid further pain or problems.
Get in touch to book your emergency dental appointment, or schedule an online dental consultation and see an emergency dentist remotely.