Fractured teeth can range from minor chips in the outside coating of the tooth, the enamel, to severe vertical or diagonal fractures that span the entire length of the tooth and can involve damage to the root.
Fractures are divided into three categories based on the Ellis classification scale and are as follows:
Ellis 1. The most minor of fracture that extends through the enamel only. These fractures typically don’t involve any pain or color changes.
Ellis 2: This fracture involves the enamel as well as the dentin. Typically there is some minor discomfort when the tooth is exposed to air and we find minor yellowing or discoloration upon examination.
Ellis 3: These are fractures that involve the enamel, dentin, and pulp of the tooth. Areas of the pulp may be visible including the red and pink center of the tooth.
We can treat all types of fractures in office with various procedures allowing us to save most from extraction.
