What Happens When A Tooth Breaks At The Gum Line?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Teeth that are broken beneath the gum line are known as

subgingival fractures

. Whether your tooth can be saved depends on how deeply the tooth is broken and how quickly you get treatment. Your dentist might have to recontour your bone with a procedure called a crown lengthening to be able to fix your broken tooth.

How does a dentist remove a tooth broken at the gum?

Extraction Procedures

For a simple extraction, the dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. Then the dentist uses forceps to remove the tooth.

A surgical extraction

– this is a more complex procedure, which is used if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or has not erupted in the mouth.

Can a tooth broken at the gumline be saved?

If the crack has extended into the tooth’s pulp, it can be treated with a root canal procedure, and a crown can protect the crack from spreading.

If the crack extends below the gum line, it can’t be saved

, so it will need to be extracted.

How long can a broken tooth stay in your mouth?

Once a tooth is damaged or decaying, it’s only a matter of time before it dies. Depending on how heavy the damage, the tooth could die

within a matter of days or even a couple of months

. Darkened or discolored teeth are often the first sign that your tooth is on its way out.

Can I leave a broken tooth in my mouth?

Even if your broken tooth doesn’t hurt,

you shouldn’t leave it untreated

. There could be many more severe underlying issues that you are at increased risk of. One of the most alarming possible side effects of a broken tooth is that food detritus can get trapped inside, leading to bad infections.

Is it OK to leave tooth root in gum?

The root tips are the very end of the root, the part most deeply embedded in the gum. During extraction, the root tips may accidentally fracture or break,

leaving root tips after extraction still embedded in the gum or tooth socket

.

Can a dentist pull a tooth that is broken off at the gum line UK?

With a simple extraction, we will loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator, before removing it with forceps. However, if you have a tooth that has broken off at the gum line, or has not come through yet, you will need

a surgical extraction

.

What is the hardest tooth to extract?


Lower back teeth

are typically the hardest to anesthetize. This is because it requires a little more work in terms of numbing the nerve endings, which are more plentiful at the back, lower part of the jaw.

What happens if you have a tooth pulled and don’t replace it?

When a gap is left by a missing tooth, the

surrounding teeth have a tendency to shift

because that tooth is no longer helping to keep everything in line. Ultimately, teeth may become crooked or new gaps may appear between teeth. Another issue that may occur is super-eruption.

Are Broken teeth easy to extract?

Having a broken tooth can be a scary situation. Though teeth are the hardest substance in your body,

it is not impossible to fracture them

. This condition can cause pain and severe discomfort, and it can make it difficult to eat, talk and be in social situations.

Is it bad to leave a broken tooth untreated?

You might be tempted to just ignore your cracked tooth, but you definitely should not. An

untreated cracked tooth can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, and ultimately tooth loss

. If you’ve cracked a tooth, it’s important to make an appointment to see Dr.

Can I pull a broken tooth out myself?

The simplest answer to this is

DON’T

. If it is broken then your oral health is already at great risk and requires a visit to the dentist. A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency. Removing one at home is especially dangerous if you don’t have the proper tools.

Do dead teeth smell?


A decaying tooth results in a foul smell

. If you develop bad breath or notice an odd odor coming from your mouth, you might have one or several rotten teeth. Halitosis is one of the most common indications of decayed teeth.

Will a broken tooth eventually fall out?

A dead tooth will also no longer have any blood flow to it. A dead nerve in a tooth is sometimes referred to as a necrotic pulp or a pulpless tooth. Once this happens,

the tooth will eventually fall out by itself

.

Why are pieces of my teeth breaking off?

The cracks can occur from

chronic teeth grinding

(bruxism) or from tooth or jaw alignment that puts a disproportionate amount of pressure on a certain tooth or teeth. Cracked teeth syndrome usually makes the molars or back teeth hurt, because they do most of the work of chewing.

Why does my broken tooth not hurt?

For many people, pain drives them to the dental chair with a tooth injury. However, a cracked or chipped tooth

doesn’t always hurt

. If the break in your tooth doesn’t reach the pulp—the innermost part of the tooth which contains the tooth’s nerve endings—it likely won’t hurt.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.