Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Marcelo W. Mattschei, DDS –
Healthy teeth are extremely strong; however they can chip, crack (fracture) or break. Unfortunately, this can happen in several ways:
• Biting down on something hard
• Accidents or trauma to the face or mouth
• Cavities or poor hygiene may weaken the tooth
When a tooth chips or breaks, it may not hurt. However, your tongue may feel the sharp edge. Minor tooth fractures usually don’t cause pain, but if a large piece of the tooth breaks off there may be pain. The nerve inside the tooth may be damaged or exposed. When the nerve is damaged it can be extremely uncomfortable. Hot or cold food and drinks or chewing may cause increased sensitivity. Pain from a broken or cracked tooth may be constant or come and go.
What You Can Do:
Cracked (Fractured) Teeth
There is no home treatment for a cracked tooth. You need to see a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth. Sometimes the tooth looks fine, but it hurts only when you eat. If your tooth hurts all the time, it may have a damaged nerve or blood vessels. This is a serious warning sign.
Broken Teeth
If you have a broken tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can determine the cause of the break and if the tooth’s nerve is in danger. A damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment.
If there is bleeding:
• Rinse your mouth well with warm water.
• Apply pressure with a piece of gauze on any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If this doesn’t work, use a tea bag with pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.
• Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
• Schedule an appointment with a dentist
What Your Dentist Will Do Fractured Teeth
There are several types of tooth fractures and breaks which require different treatments. These include:
• Minor cracks — Surface cracks that affect only the outer white surface of the tooth, called the enamel. Minor cracks rarely need treatment. However, your dentist may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots.
• Cracked tooth — this type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve. The pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can sometimes be repaired with filling material. The tooth often will need a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the nerve is damaged, you may need a root canal as well.
• Chips — Minor chips don’t always need treatment. The dentist may suggest repairing the damage with filling material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look and feel better. If the chip is very small, the dentist may polish and smooth out the chipped area.
• Broken cusp — this break affects the pointed chewing surfaces (the cusps) of the teeth. They usually do not affect the pulp and are unlikely to cause much pain. Your dentist may repair the damage to restore the tooth’s shape. Frequently, a crown will be required.
• Serious breaks — these breaks expose the nerve. They almost always cause pain and sensitivity. Usually, the broken part of the tooth will bleed. You will need root canal treatment to remove the exposed nerve and most likely a crown to restore the tooth to normal function so you can eat and chew properly.
• Split tooth — occurs when the tooth has split vertically into two separate parts. Some teeth, such as your molars, have more than one root. It may be possible to keep one of the roots, which will then be covered with a crown. First, you will need root canal treatment. Second, the dentist will remove any roots that cannot be kept. Third, you will need a crown to cover the root and replace the tooth. In some cases, when a root cannot be saved, the tooth will have to be removed.
• Vertical breaks or split root — these cracks start in the root of the tooth and extend upward toward the chewing surface. They are often painful because the area around the root may be inflamed or infected. In most cases, the tooth will have to be removed.
• Decay-induced break — the tooth has broken or crumbled because a cavity weakened it from the inside out. Your dentist will evaluate the cavity and recommend the best way to restore the tooth. In some cases, if the decay is extensive, the tooth may have to be removed.
Dr. Mattschei is not your typical dentist. He started off with modest means. Both his parents immigrated to the U.S. in their teens. The old world virtues of a simple life are evident to this day in his practice style and approach towards healthcare. He grew up in the Tampa Bay Area. Where he attended Jesuit High School and later graduated from the local college, The University of South Florida. As early as high school he cultivated a passion of helping others through his leadership in student government, fraternity and civic organizations.
A tradition he continued at Marquette University School of Dentistry, as class president. While studying to be a dentist, he had the opportunity to further his calling to providing low cost care to the underserved of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Upon graduating, he continued to offer affordable care as a resident of Waterbury Health Center Hospital in Connecticut.
These experiences provided the cornerstones to the vision for “Dental Crown in an Hour.” Dr. Mattschei wants patients to be able to fix their broken and painful teeth. He is making this possible by lowering the cost and time barriers traditionally associated with treatment.
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