Black Jack, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Black Jack, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Black Jack, MO. A broken tooth can impact your basic tasks like eating and talking, and can also affect your self-esteem. Fortunately, a professional dentist can prepare a broken tooth, even if the tooth is almost completely gone. Plaza Dental Center is committed to helping Black Jack, MO residents young and old get the excellent dental services they need, with a staff that is always kind and professional. If you’re interested in broken tooth repair in Black Jack, MO, call Plaza at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website.

Steps to Take After a Broken Tooth

Repairing a broken tooth is an emergency dental event, so you should see a dentist in Black Jack, MO immediately after your injury. If you have a chipped tooth and the damage is minimal, you may not notice it right away. The enamel that covers our teeth is the hardest tissue humans have. Nonetheless, because of decay or enough force, it can still be broken. In those instances, the inner pulp can be unprotected, causing pain and, if you don’t see medical care, infection.

There are some things you can do at home 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 salt water
• Take an over-the-counter medication if you’re experiencing pain (DO NOT TAKE a topical oral pain gel)
• If the tooth has a sharp edge, you can protect it with a piece of sugarless gum
• Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth

If you spot any uncovered yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, you should seek urgent dental care in Black Jack, MO.

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the seriousness of the fracture and its location on the tooth. In general, 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 occurs when a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface detaches. These are more common with people with fillings. These usually don’t damage the pulp and consequently don’t cause a whole lot of pain, however symptoms may include some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means a crack extends from the top of the tooth toward its root. As the crack can start small and get longer, saving the tooth requires to get treated early on. If the crack extends below the gum line the tooth will likely have to 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 top down to the root. Only in rare occasions is it possible to repair your mouth without extracting the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures begin below the gum line and extend up, the opposite of a cracked tooth. You may not have many symptoms, and often a vertical root fracture can go undetected if you don’t see a dentist regularly. Problems arise when the crack affects the surrounding gums and bone, however they can also be seen on an x-ray during your regular dental checkup. The tooth may have to be taken out, but often an experienced Black Jack, MO dentist can restore the tooth with endodontic therapy.

If you think you may have a broken tooth but can’t tell, you should still see a dentist as soon as possible. One of the advantages to going to biannual dental examinations is that your dentist will be able to tell if there are any issues you’re not aware of.

Causes of Broken Teeth in Black Jack, MO

A broken tooth is always unexpected, but they usually happen because of a few basic causes. Some common causes include:

• Trauma to the mouth or face — Trauma to the face or mouth, such as during sports or in a traffic-related accident, can result in a broken tooth.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects like ice, nuts, or inedible object can also lead to a broken tooth.
• Cavities or decay — When a tooth is weakened by decay, it can become more prone to chipping.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not following proper oral hygiene can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more prone to cracking.
• Teeth grinding — Called bruxism in the medical world, teeth clenching or grinding can lead to a broken tooth.

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

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth in Black Jack, MO

Your treatment options for your broken tooth will depend on your unique situation. The goal will be to try to avoid extracting the tooth, but even if it has to be pulled a knowledgeable dentist will still be able to fully restore your smile. Below are several options that your Black Jack, MO dentist may suggest:

• Dental bonding — For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding may be your best bet. In this treatment, a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the damaged area and then fixed with an LED light. Bonding can typically be completed in one visit and is among the cheaper options for fixing a broken tooth. Bonding is a good option for fixing your tooth’s appearance, but may not be the best option for more significant damage.
• Dental veneers — For more extensive fractures, a dental veneer may be recommended. 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 with proper care. The process involves taking a small amount of enamel from the broken tooth, then attaching the veneer to the tooth. Veneers are more expensive than bonding, but can provide a long-lasting broken tooth solution that looks natural in appearance.
• Dental crowns — For severe damage or decay, a dental crown may be necessary. A crown is a cap that is placed over the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns can be made from various materials, such as porcelain or metal, and can last for many years with proper care. The procedure involves removing the broken part of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are a great choice for extensive damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the nerve, you may need a root canal. In a root canal, the damaged or infected pulp is taken out, and the damaged pulp is removed and the tooth is filled with a special material called gutta-percha. A crown is then placed over the tooth to protect it and restore its function. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and staving off 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 attached to your jawbone, and a porcelain crown that looks and acts just like a normal tooth is capped onto the screw. The process usually takes place in three appointments:
  1. The screw is attached
  2. After the screw has fused with your jawbone, your Black Jack, MO dentist will make impressions for the crown
  3. The crown 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 broken bones in your legs, arms, or elsewhere, broken teeth never completely heal themselves. Getting treatment manages pain, makes it less likely that a crack will spread, ensures the tooth can function normally, and can make you confident with your smile again.

Preventing Broken Teeth in Black Jack, MO

While we can’t control the unexpected, there are things you can do 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.
• Practice good dental hygiene — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist twice a year for examinations and cleanings and polishings can make your teeth stronger.
• Address dental problems promptly — If you have decay, gingivitis, or another dental issue, get dental care promptly. Ignoring dental problems can make teeth more susceptible to breaking.
• Consider protective dental treatments — If you have weak or brittle teeth, your dentist may recommend a protective dental treatment, such as a fluoride treatment or dental sealants, to help safeguard your teeth.

Call Plaza Dental Center For Your Broken Tooth Repair in Black Jack, MO

A broken tooth can be a painful and inconvenient experience, but there are several options available for repairing the damage. It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Black Jack, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We particularly enjoy helping people of any age who are apprehensive in the dentist’s chair get the dental care they need. Call 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment through our website for your broken tooth repair in Black Jack, MO.