Central West End, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Central West End, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Central West End, MO. A broken tooth can impact your basic activities like eating and speaking, and can also impact 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 Central West End, MO residents young and old get the expert dental services they need, with a team that is strives to be kind and professional. If you need broken tooth repair in Central West End, MO, call Plaza at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website.

Steps to Take After Breaking Your Tooth

Having to fix a broken tooth is an emergency dental event, so you should see a dentist in Central West End, MO immediately after your injury. If you have a chipped tooth and you just lost some enamel, you may not feel any pain. The enamel that makes up the outer layer of our teeth is stronger than any bone in our bodies. Nevertheless, after an injury or due to poor oral hygiene, it can still be cracked. In those instances, the inner pulp can be uncovered, leading to pain and, if untreated, infection.

There are some things you can do at home to help manage any pain and ensure things at the dentist go as well as possible:

• Collect any large pieces of the tooth that broke off
• Wash your mouth out 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 some sugarless gum
• Don’t eat hard foods and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth

If you notice any uncovered yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, you should seek urgent dental treatment in Central West End, MO.

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

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

1. Craze lines are small cracks that are just on the outside of the enamel. They are common, and they can be hard to discover. They often don’t require treatment except for aesthetic reasons.
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 damage the nerves inside the tooth and consequently don’t result in a whole lot of pain, however you may experience some sensitivity to temperatures.
3. A cracked tooth means the fracture extends from the top of the tooth toward its root. As the crack can start small and get bigger, to avoid the need to extract the tooth you need an early diagnosis. 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. When that happens, the tooth has split into two separate parts all the way down to the root. Most times it won’t be possible to save the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures begin at the root of the tooth and extend up, instead of a crack on the chewing surface extending down. You may not have many symptoms, and often a vertical root fracture can go undetected for a long period. They often go unnoticed until the crack starts damaging surrounding tissue, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your regular dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be pulled, but often a skilled Central West End, 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 advantages to 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 Central West End, MO

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

• An injury to the mouth or face — Trauma to the face or mouth, such as during athletic events or in an auto accident, can cause a tooth to break.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects such as 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 vulnerable to breaking.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not following proper dental hygiene can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more prone to breaking.
• Teeth grinding — Called bruxism in the medical world, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

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

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth in Central West End, MO

Your treatment options for your 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 save the tooth, but even if it has to be extracted a knowledgeable dentist will still be able to completely restore your smile. Below are several options that your Central West End, MO dentist may advise:

• Dental bonding — For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding may be your best choice. In this treatment, 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 repairing a broken tooth. Bonding is a good option for minor damage to the front teeth, but may not be the best option for more serious damage.
• Dental veneers — For more extensive cracks, 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 improve the appearance of a broken tooth and can last for many years with proper care. The process involves taking a small amount of enamel from the broken tooth, then affixing 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 severe damage or decay, you may require a dental crown. A crown is a cap that is placed over the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns are constructed from numerous different substances, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable with proper care. The process involves removing the damaged portion of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are often the best choice for extensive damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the nerve, you may require a root canal. In a root canal, the damaged or infected pulp is removed, 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 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 attached to your jawbone, and a porcelain crown that looks and performs just like a natural 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 Central West End, MO dentist will make impressions for the crown
  3. The crown is placed over the screw

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

Unlike fractures in other parts of the body, broken teeth do not completely heal. Getting treatment manages 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 Central West End, MO

While accidents can happen, there are things you can do to prevent broken teeth:

• Don’t bite down on 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 oral health — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist twice a year for examinations and cleanings and polishings can help keep your teeth healthy and strong.
• 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 damage.
• 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 protect your teeth.

Call Plaza Dental Center For Your Broken Tooth Repair in Central West End, 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 get care promptly to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Central West End, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping people of any age who are apprehensive about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or contact us online for your broken tooth repair in Central West End, MO.