Crestwood, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Crestwood, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Crestwood, MO. A broken tooth can be a painful and troubling experience. Thankfully, there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is devoted to helping Crestwood, MO residents young and old get the excellent dental services they need, with a team that is makes sure to be kind and professional. If you require broken tooth repair in Crestwood, MO, speak to a team member at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment 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 Crestwood, MO immediately after your injury. If you have a cracked tooth where you just lost some enamel, you may not notice it right away. The enamel that covers our teeth is stronger than any bone in our bodies. Yet, after an injury or due to poor oral hygiene, it’s not indestructible. In those instances, the nerves inside of the teeth can be unprotected, causing pain and, if you don’t see dental treatment, infection.

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

• Gather any large pieces of the tooth that broke off
• Wash your mouth out with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter medication if you’re experiencing pain (DO NOT TAKE a topical oral pain reliever)
• If the tooth has a sharp edge, you can shield it with some sugarless gum
• Don’t eat hard foods and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth

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

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the severity of the fracture and its location on the tooth. Generally, broken teeth are broken down into five types:

1. Craze lines are small cracks in the enamel. These are pretty ordinary, and they can be hard to discover. Generally, the only reasons to get treatment is so it looks better.
2. A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off. These happen more commonly to teeth with large fillings. These usually don’t affect the pulp and consequently don’t cause much pain, however you may experience some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means the fracture descends from the top of the tooth beneath 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 completely in two. Only in rare occasions is it possible to save the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures start below the gum line and extend up, the opposite of a cracked tooth. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. Problems arise when the crack affects the surrounding gums and bone, however they can also be seen on an x-ray during your regular dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be taken out, but often a skilled Crestwood, MO dentist can restore the tooth with endodontic therapy.

If you think you’re having symptoms of a broken tooth, see a dentist at your earliest convenience. One of the benefits of having 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 Crestwood, MO

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

• Trauma to the mouth or face — Trauma to the face or mouth, such as during sports or in an auto 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 cause a tooth to crack or break.
• Cavities or decay — When a tooth is weakened by decay, it can become more vulnerable to damage.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not following good dental health can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more susceptible 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 for the best restorative results. Ignoring a broken tooth can cause more serious complications, such as infection, periodontitis, and even tooth loss.

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth in Crestwood, 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 save the tooth, but even if it has to be pulled a skilled dentist will still be able to completely restore your smile. Here are some treatments that your Crestwood, MO dentist may recommend:

• Dental bonding — For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding may be an option. In this treatment, a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the damaged area and then hardened with a special light. Bonding usually takes place in a single appointment 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 severe damage, a dental veneer may be recommended. A veneer is a thin 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 consists of removing a small amount of enamel from the damaged 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 a more extensive break, a dental crown may be necessary. A crown is a cap that is placed over the entire tooth to restore normal appearance and functionality. Crowns can be made from numerous different substances, such as porcelain or metal, and can last for many years 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 a great choice for extensive damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the nerve, a root canal may be necessary. In a root canal, the damaged or infected pulp is taken out, and the root canals are cleaned and sealed. A cap is then placed over the tooth to return it to normal appearance and functionality. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and preventing infection.
• Dental implants — If the broken tooth needs to be extracted, dental implants are the modern alternative to permanent tooth replacement. 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 forms a permanent bond with the bone, your Crestwood, 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 fractures in other parts of the body, broken teeth do not completely heal. Getting treatment relieves pain, makes it less likely that a crack will worsen, ensures the tooth can function normally, and can restore a confident, bright smile.

Preventing Broken Teeth in Crestwood, MO

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

• Avoid chewing 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.
• Practice proper dental 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 a cavity or other dental issue, get dental care as soon as possible. Not doing so can make teeth more susceptible to damage.
• 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 safeguard your teeth.

Call Plaza Dental Center For Your Broken Tooth Repair in Crestwood, 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 promptly to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Crestwood, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We particularly enjoy helping patients who feel nervous 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 Crestwood, MO.