Did your tooth break off, but it doesn’t hurt? As a child, it is expected for baby teeth to fall out so the adult ones can come in. However, it should be noted and addressed if your adult tooth has broken off at the gum line, even if there’s no pain. You may need emergency dental services.
You may be confused about why your tooth broke in half and what to do. Carry on reading to learn why this happens, eat to do, the treatments, and more.
What to Do if Your Tooth Has Broken Off at Gum Line, No Pain?
First, you must not panic. Yes, your tooth just broke off, but your dentist can resolve the matter. Here’s what you should do for the painless, broken tooth:
- Secure the broken tooth in a zipper bag or coin pouch so your dentist can examine it.
- Look in the mirror to see which tooth broke off.
- Gently rinse, brush, and floss the area of the broken tooth to clean it of any food particles. Otherwise, it might get swollen or inflamed.
- Try not to eat from the affected side. Moreover, refrain from eating hard or crunchy food.
A molar that broke off at the gum line with no pain is not as severe as one that hurts. The latter requires immediate medical attention and causes extreme pain. Still, you should visit a dentist for the cracked tooth.
Why Does the Broken Tooth Not Hurt?
You may be wondering why the broken tooth doesn’t hurt. This is because, most probably, the nerve has already died due to the fracture’s impact. It is also possible that the tooth was already dead. Or, perhaps, you had a root canal therapy that already removed the nerve.
Even if there’s no pain, the tooth can get infected. Hence, visit your dentist to avoid any complications.
Tooth Broken Below Gum Line Treatment
When there are dental problems, your dentist has the solution. The same is true for a tooth broken off at the gum line with no pain.
In most cases, your dentist can restore the tooth. Other times, though, you may need a tooth extraction.
The treatment for your broken tooth may involve one of these:
- Root Canal & Dental Crown
If your tooth can be restored, your dentist may go for a dental crown. This means the tooth root remains in the gums while the dentist attaches a crown.
You don’t feel pain because the tooth nerve has died, so your dentist may remove the nerve with a root canal. Then, they’ll fill in the canal. If not, the nerve can rot and cause infection. After this, the dentists will do a core build-up to fill the tooth hole.
Lastly, a dental crown will be placed on your tooth, covering it entirely. It looks like your natural teeth, providing the desired aesthetics. - Crown Lengthening
Your dentist might recommend crown lengthening if your tooth is broken, but not enough is left to place a crown. In this procedure, the dentist shaves away the bone around your tooth. This way, there’s more tooth visible above the gum line.
Though this helps restore the tooth, keep in mind that the bone will not regrow. You can ask your dentist about the side effects before getting any treatments. - Orthodontic Extrusion
This procedure also creates more tooth, which is longer looking, above the gums. The orthodontist will attach a bracket to the affected tooth and extrude it above the gum line. This procedure may take longer. Still, it doesn’t include any irreversible consequences.
What to Do?
Is your tooth broken off at the gum line with no pain? Pay a visit to a reputable dental clinic like Smile 4ever Family Dentistry. You can schedule an appointment with us at (281) 213-5668.