What is a tooth fracture?
Tooth fractures can range from minor (involving chipping of the outer tooth layers called enamel and dentin) to severe (involving vertical, diagonal or horizontal fractures of the root). Enamel and dentin are the two outer protective layers of the tooth. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface. The dentin is a yellow layer lying just beneath the enamel. Enamel and dentin both serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp. The visible 1/3 of the tooth is called the crown, while the remaining 2/3 of the tooth buried in the bone is called the root. Dental x-rays are necessary in most instances to diagnose, locate, and measure the extent of tooth fracture. What is a serious tooth fracture? A serious fracture that exposes both the dentin and the pulp tissue should be treated promptly. The tooth may be displaced and loose, and the gums may bleed. To prevent the loose tooth from falling out completely, the dentist can splint the loose tooth by bonding it to the adjacen
