Does a Broken Tooth Need to Be Pulled?
Despite being the hardest structure in the body, a tooth can break at times, possibly due to an injury or when you bite something too hard. When that happens, the first thought many patients have is: Does a broken tooth need to be pulled?
To answer it simply, no, it’s not always needed. In fact, extraction is often the last resort. Keep reading to learn when extracting a broken tooth may become necessary.
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Does a Broken Tooth Always Need to Be Pulled?
In many cases, it does not. Dentists focus on saving the tooth first, because no other replacement can fully function like your own tooth. A chipped or broken tooth may not need to be extracted if:
- The crack or fracture is small
- The damage is only above the gum line
- Your tooth root is fully intact
- There’s no infection
- The tooth is treatable with restorative options
In these situations, there’s a high chance that your tooth can be saved.
Signs Your Broken Tooth May Need Extraction
When the problem goes beyond the surface level, it becomes more difficult to keep your tooth intact. Your dentist may suggest broken tooth removal when there are a few or more of these signs:
Worsening pain
Toothache often occurs when a tooth is chipped or fractured. But if it keeps worsening over time, it means that your inner pulp tissue is likely involved.
Crack below the gumline
Breaks or cracks that extend past the gumline are difficult to restore. In this situation, pulling the tooth might be the only option.
Infection
Infection is typically the main reason why dentists suggest pulling a broken tooth. The reason is that it’s not just limited to one tooth, but may spread and affect the health of your other teeth and surrounding gums.
Your tooth feels loose
It’s not uncommon for a tooth to become loose once it fractures. A severely loose tooth may require extraction if it cannot be stabilized.
Is It Possible to Save a Broken Tooth?
Not all broken teeth need to be removed. If there’s only a small chip or crack, your dentist may suggest correcting it with dental bonding. It uses a tooth-colored resin to rebuild the part of the tooth that has been damaged.
For larger cavities, dentists recommend fillings, crowns, or inlays/onlays, depending on how serious the damage is.
In case there’s a crack or break that reaches your pulp, it might still be possible to save the tooth with a root canal. A crown is placed later on to keep the tooth protected.
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Conclusion
It’s not always necessary to pull out a broken tooth. The aim is to restore it, unless the tooth is so visibly damaged or infected that it cannot be saved at all. The earlier you seek treatment, the better the chance of saving your tooth.
If you notice any signs of a broken tooth, get in touch with our team at ACE Dental of Temple right away. Call us today to make an appointment!
Medically Reviewed
Aditi Gupta, D.D.S.
Dr. Aditi Gupta is a renowned family dentist, specializing in general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry at ACE Dental with 9 locations across central Texas. She has been an esteemed practitioner for over 12 years and earned her board certification from the American Board of General Dentistry as well as memberships in both the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association.