I broke my front tooth in an accident…. What to do now?

• Rinse your mouth out with water.
• Apply pressure to stop the bleeding, and call for help if it’s severe.
• If the tooth come out completely, you can preserve the knocked-out tooth in milk, or saline solution or inside the mouth at the vestibule area, so that the tooth won’t dry out.
  
  With prompt intervention, it may be possible to save the tooth through various treatments. Seeking prompt dental attention is critical for the best chance of success.
• Use cold compression to relieve pain and swelling.
• Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

Seeing a dentist after an accident is essential, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Sometimes, an invisible crack or blunt trauma can cause tooth infection months or years after the incident. Therefore, following up with a dentist as advised after trauma is compulsory.

• Composite filling

  For a minimally broken tooth that does not involve the nerve, a simple tooth-colored composite filling is recommended to repair the broken piece. This prevents the rough edge from cutting or damaging your lips or tongue, as well as restoring the appearance of the tooth.
  
  
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• Dental veneer

  If a large portion of the tooth is chipped out but does not involve the pulp, dental veneers are an effective way as they last longer and supply a more aesthetic look compared to simple filling. Additionally, dental veneers are also resistant to stains.
  
  
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• Dental crowns

  If a tooth is fractured with involvement of nerve or shows signs of infection after an accident, then root canal treatment is recommended to save the tooth. Following the root canal treatment, a dental crown must be placed.
  
  
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Seeing a dentist after an accident is essential, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Sometimes, an invisible crack or blunt trauma can cause tooth infection months or years after the incident. Therefore, following up with a dentist as advised after trauma is compulsory.

• Tooth reimplantation

  If a tooth is completely knocked out during an accident, and the patient can retrieve the tooth within an hour without allowing it to dry out (by carrying the tooth in HBSS solution, milk, saline), a dentist can reposition the tooth and apply rigid splinting. This case requires regular follow-up appointments to watch the treatment outcome.
  
  If the patient is unable to retrieve the knocked-out tooth, or if the above treatments do not supply satisfactory outcomes, this missing tooth will need to be replaced.

• Dental implant

  Nowadays, dental implants are the preferred options to replace missing teeth as they provide a natural look and feel, giving a more aesthetically pleasing result.
  
  
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• Dental bridge

  For patients requiring tooth extraction due to damage, an alternative solution is a dental bridge. This method entails utilizing two abutment teeth to secure a synthetic tooth or teeth, effectively filling the void resulting from the absence of the natural tooth or teeth.
  
  
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Overall, experiencing a cracked, broken, or chipped tooth can be considered a dental emergency, and seeking prompt dental attention is essential. Postponing treatment can result in exacerbated complications and irreversible harm. Patients should not hesitate to contact their dentist immediately upon discovering a damaged tooth. The aforementioned procedures can help patients figure out the best course of action for dental treatment.