Bel-Ridge, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Bel-Ridge, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Bel-Ridge, MO. A broken tooth can impact your daily tasks like chewing and speaking, and can also affect your confidence. The good news is that there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is dedicated to helping Bel-Ridge, MO residents of all ages get the expert dental services they need, with a staff that is strives to be amiable and professional. If you’re interested in broken tooth repair in Bel-Ridge, MO, call Plaza at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website.

What to Do After a Broken Tooth?

Needing to fix a broken tooth is an emergency dental event, so you should make an appointment with a dentist in Bel-Ridge, MO immediately after you discover the tooth is broken. If you have a cracked tooth and the damage is minimal, you may not feel any pain. The enamel that covers our teeth is the strongest material humans have. Nevertheless, after an injury or due to poor oral hygiene, it can still be splintered. In those instances, the inner pulp can be uncovered, causing pain and, if you don’t see medical care, infection.

There are some things you can do yourself to help your early symptoms and ensure things at the dentist go smoothly:

• Gather any large pieces of the tooth that broke off
• Wash what’s left of your tooth with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you’re experiencing pain (NOT a topical oral pain gel)
• If the tooth has a jagged edge, you can cover it with a piece of sugarless gum
• Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth

If you notice any exposed yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, see your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist immediately.

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the severity of the crack and what part of the tooth it’s on. Generally, there are five types of broken teeth:

1. Craze lines are small cracks that are just on the outside of the enamel. These are pretty ordinary, and they can be hard to discover. They often don’t require treatment except for aesthetic reasons.
2. A fractured cusp happens when a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface detaches. These are more common with people with fillings. These usually don’t hurt the pulp and therefore don’t result in a whole lot of pain, however symptoms may include some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means the break descends from the chewing surface of a tooth beneath the gum line. As the crack can start small and get longer, saving the tooth requires an early diagnosis. If the crack starts approaching the tooth root the tooth will probably be extracted.
4. A split tooth occurs when a cracked tooth goes untreated. In these cases, the tooth has split into two separate parts from the chewing surface down to the root. Most times it won’t be possible to repair your mouth without extracting the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures start at the root of the tooth and extend up, instead of a crack on the top of the tooth extending down. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. Problems arise when the crack affects the surrounding tissue, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your biannual dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be taken out, but often a professional Bel-Ridge, MO dentist can repair it with endodontic surgery.

If you think you’re having symptoms of a broken tooth, see a dentist at your earliest convenience. One of the benefits of having twice yearly dental examinations is that your dentist can see any damage that you are not experiencing symptoms from.

Causes of Broken Teeth in Bel-Ridge, MO

A broken tooth is always unanticipated, but the circumstances surrounding many of them isn’t unique. Some common causes include:

• Trauma to the mouth or face — An injury to the face or mouth, such as during athletic events or an accident, can result in a broken tooth.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects like ice, hard candy, or inedible object can also lead to a broken tooth.
• Cavities or decay — When a tooth is weakened by decay, it can become more vulnerable to damage.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not practicing good dental health can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more vulnerable to damage.
• Teeth grinding — Called bruxism in the medical world, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. Not getting treatment can result in more serious complications, such as infection, periodontitis, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in Bel-Ridge, MO

The treatment for a broken tooth will depend on the type of break, where it is on the tooth, and the extent of the damage. We will try to avoid extracting the tooth, but even if it has to be pulled an experienced dentist will still be able to completely restore your smile. Here are several options that your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist may recommend:

• Dental bonding — For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding may be an option. In this procedure, a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the damaged area and then fixed with a high-intensity laser. Bonding usually takes place in a single visit and is among the cheaper options for fixing a broken tooth. Bonding is a good option for minor damage to the front teeth, but may not be the best option for more severe damage.
• Dental veneers — For more extensive damage, a dental veneer may be a good option. A veneer is a fine shell of porcelain or composite material that is personalized to fit exactly over the top of your teeth. Veneers can make a broken tooth look better and are durable if taken care of correctly. The process involves taking a small amount of enamel from the broken tooth, then bonding the veneer to the tooth. Veneers cost more than bonding, but can provide a long-lasting broken tooth solution that looks natural in appearance.
• Dental crowns — For a more extensive break, you may need a dental crown. A crown is a cap that is placed over the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns can be constructed from numerous different substances, such as porcelain or metal, and can last for many years if taken care of properly. The process involves removing the broken part of the tooth and capping what’s left with a crown. Crowns are a great option for significant damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the pulp, a root canal may be necessary. In this procedure, the damaged or infected pulp is removed, and the root canals are cleaned and sealed. A cap is then placed on top of the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and preventing infection.
• Dental implants — If the broken tooth needs to be pulled, dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace the tooth. With an implant, a metal screw will be affixed to the bone in your jaw, and a porcelain crown that looks and acts just like a normal tooth is capped onto the screw. The process usually consists of three appointments:
  1. The screw is attached
  2. After the screw has fused with your jawbone, your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist will prepare impressions for the crown
  3. The cap is placed over the screw

  Before the permanent replacement is ready, you’ll have temporary replacements that also look and act like normal teeth.

Unlike fractures in your legs, arms, or elsewhere, broken teeth do not completely heal. Getting treatment eases pain, makes it less likely that a crack will spread, ensures the tooth can function normally, and can make you proud of your smile again.

Preventing Broken Teeth in Bel-Ridge, MO

While we can’t control the unexpected, there are steps you can take to prevent broken teeth:

• Don’t chew on hard objects — Refrain from biting down on hard objects such as ice or inedible objects.
• Wear a mouthguard — If you engage in sports or other physical activities, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from trauma and injury.
• Follow proper dental hygiene — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist consistently for examinations and cleanings and polishings can make your teeth stronger.
• Address dental problems promptly — If you have a cavity or other dental issue, seek treatment as soon as possible. Ignoring dental problems can weaken teeth.
• Consider protective dental treatments — If you have weak or brittle teeth, your dentist may suggest a protective dental treatment, such as a fluoride treatment or dental sealants, to help protect your teeth.

Call Plaza Dental Center For Your Broken Tooth Repair in Bel-Ridge, MO

A broken tooth can affect basic activities and make you less confident in your smile, but there are several options available for repairing the damage. It’s important to get care as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Bel-Ridge, MO residents regain the function and confidence of their smiles. We particularly enjoy helping people of any age who feel apprehensive about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or request an appointment through our website for your broken tooth repair in Bel-Ridge, MO.