When can a broken tooth become serious?
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American Dental Association answered:A broken tooth is serious because it can lead to infection or disease of the tooth. If that happens, you may need to have the tooth removed. Sometimes teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease or trauma. This is why regular dental visits are so important because they let your dentist diagnose and treat problems in the early stage.
A broken tooth is serious because it can lead to infection or disease of the tooth. If that happens, you may need to have the tooth removed. Sometimes teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease or trauma. This is why regular dental visits are so... More -
Dr. John Kaminski answered:Broken teeth can be categorized by the depth of the fracture. A Class I fracture involves only the outer enamel layer of the tooth. A Class II fracture involves the enamel as well as the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel. The dentin contains tiny nerve fibers that can cause a tooth to be temperature sensitive. It will also be more susceptible to decay as the exposed dentin is a softer material. As this tooth decays, it approaches the pulp which can be very painful. A Class III fracture involves the enamel, dentin and the pulp. The pulp is often referred to as the 'nerve' of the tooth which, if vital, could be extremely painful. If not taken care of, an exposed nerve can become infected leading to bone infection which can be life threatening.
Broken teeth can be categorized by the depth of the fracture. A Class I fracture involves only the outer enamel layer of the tooth. A Class II fracture involves the enamel as well as the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel. The dentin contains tiny... More
