Brentwood, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Brentwood, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Brentwood, MO. A broken tooth can impact your daily tasks like chewing and speaking, and can also have consequences for your confidence. Luckily, there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is dedicated to helping Brentwood, MO residents young and old get the excellent dental services they need, with a team that is strives to be amiable and professional. If you need broken tooth repair in Brentwood, MO, call Plaza today at 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website.

What to Do After a Broken Tooth?

Repairing a broken tooth is an emergency dental service, so you should see a dentist in Brentwood, MO as quickly as possible. If you have a cracked tooth and you just lost some of your tooth’s outer layer, you may not have any symptoms at first. The enamel that makes up the outer layer of our teeth is the most durable material humans have. Nevertheless, because of decay or enough force, it’s not indestructible. When that happens, the inner pulp can be exposed, causing pain and, if you don’t see medical treatment, infection.

There are some things you can do yourself to help manage any pain and ensure things at the dentist go smoothly:

• Gather any large pieces of the tooth that are no longer attached to your teeth
• Wash your mouth out with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you’re experiencing pain (NOT a topical oral pain reliever)
• If the tooth has a jagged edge, you can protect it with a piece of sugarless gum
• Eat soft foods and don’t use that side of your mouth to chew

If you spot any exposed yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, you should seek urgent dental care in Brentwood, MO.

5 Types of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the severity of the chip and where on the tooth it is. In general, there are five types of broken teeth:

1. Craze lines are small cracks that only affect the outer enamel. These are pretty ordinary, and you may not notice you have it. They often don’t require treatment except for if the cracks are on the front teeth.
2. A fractured cusp occurs when a part of the tooth’s chewing surface detaches. These are more common with people with fillings. These usually don’t affect the pulp and consequently don’t cause a whole lot of pain, however you may experience some sensitivity to temperatures.
3. A cracked tooth means a crack goes from the chewing surface of a tooth down to the gum line. As the crack can spread, to avoid the need to extract the tooth you need to get treated early on. If the crack starts approaching the tooth root 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 spread upwards, instead of a crack on the chewing surface extending down. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. They often go unnoticed until the crack affects the surrounding tissue, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your twice yearly dental checkup. The tooth may have to be extracted, but often a professional Brentwood, MO dentist can repair it with endodontic therapy.

If you think you may have a broken tooth but can’t tell, you should still make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. One of the benefits of going to biannual dental examinations is that your dentist will be able to tell if you have any dental problems you’re not aware of.

Causes of Broken Teeth in Brentwood, MO

A broken tooth is always unanticipated, but they usually happen because of a few basic causes. A few common causes are:

• Trauma to the mouth or face — A blow to the face or mouth, such as during athletic events or in a fall, can cause a tooth to break.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects like ice, nuts, or inedible object can also cause a tooth to crack or break.
• Cavities or decay — When a tooth is weakened by decay, it can become more susceptible to chipping.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not following good dental health can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more prone to cracking.
• Teeth grinding — Called bruxism in the dental world, teeth clenching or grinding can lead to a broken tooth.

It’s essential to seek treatment early to prevent further damage or infection. Ignoring a broken tooth can result in more serious complications, such as infection, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in Brentwood, MO

Your treatment options for your broken tooth will depend on your specific situation. The goal will be to try to save the tooth, but even if it has to be pulled a skilled dentist will be able to keep your teeth functional and return your full smile through other methods. Here are some treatments that your Brentwood, MO dentist may suggest:

• 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 special 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 extensive damage.
• Dental veneers — For more extensive breaks, a dental veneer may be a good option. A veneer is a fine coating 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 can last for many years with proper care. The process consists of taking a small amount of enamel from the damaged tooth, then affixing 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 substances, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable with proper care. The procedure involves removing the cracked part of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are often the best choice for significant damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the pulp, you may require a root canal. In this procedure, 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 cap is then placed on top of the tooth to protect it and restore its function. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and preventing further damage to the tooth.
• Dental implants — If the broken tooth needs to be extracted, dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace the tooth. With an implant, a metal screw will be attached to the bone in your jaw, and a porcelain crown that looks and performs just like a normal tooth is placed over 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 Brentwood, MO dentist will make impressions for the crown
  3. You receive your brand new tooth

  Before the permanent replacement is ready, we can fit you to temporary replacements that also look and act like normal teeth.

Unlike broken bones in other parts of the body, broken teeth do not completely heal. Getting treatment eases pain, makes it less likely that a crack will worsen, ensures the tooth can function normally, and can make you confident with your smile again.

Preventing Broken Teeth in Brentwood, MO

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

• Don’t chew on hard objects — Hard objects such as ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels can cause a tooth to crack or break.
• Wear a mouthguard — If you play sports or are a weekend warrior, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from trauma and injury.
• Follow proper dental care — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist regularly 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 as soon as possible. Not doing so can weaken teeth.
• Consider protective dental treatments — If you have weak or brittle teeth, your dentist may advise a protective dental treatment, such as a fluoride treatment or dental sealants, to help strengthen your teeth.

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

A broken tooth can be a painful and inconvenient experience, but there are ways to make your tooth look and feel like a natural, strong tooth. It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible so the fracture or chip doesn’t lead to other issues. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Brentwood, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping people of any age who are apprehensive in the dentist’s chair get the dental care they need. Call 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website for your broken tooth repair in Brentwood, MO.