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Dellwood, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Dellwood, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Dellwood, MO. A broken tooth can impact your basic activities like eating and talking, and can also impact your self-esteem. Thankfully, there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is committed to helping Dellwood, MO residents of all ages get the expert dental care they need, with a team that is strives to be kind and professional. If you need broken tooth repair in Dellwood, MO, call Plaza today 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 service, so you should schedule an appointment with a dentist in Dellwood, MO as quickly as possible. If you have a cracked tooth where the damage is minimal, you may not feel any pain. The enamel that covers our teeth is the hardest substance in our bodies. Nevertheless, through decay or enough force, it can still be cracked. When that happens, the nerves inside of the teeth can be uncovered, causing pain and, if untreated, infection.

There are some self-care steps you can take to help your early symptoms and ensure things at the dentist go as well as possible:

  • Gather any large pieces of the tooth that are no longer attached to your teeth
  • Rinse what’s left of your tooth with warm water
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you’re in pain (NOT a topical dental pain cream)
  • If the tooth has a sharp edge, you can shield it with some sugarless gum
  • Eat soft foods and don’t use that side of your mouth to chew

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

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

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

  1. Craze lines are tiny cracks in the enamel. These are pretty common, and you may not notice you have it. Generally, the only reasons to get treatment is for appearances.
  2. A fractured cusp happens when a part of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off. These happen more commonly to teeth with a substantial amount of fillings. These usually don’t harm the pulp and therefore don’t cause a whole lot of pain, however you may experience some sensitivity to temperatures.
  3. A cracked tooth means the fracture descends from the top of the tooth toward its root. As the crack can spread, to avoid the need to extract the tooth you need 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 the crack in a tooth is allowed to grow. 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 start at the root of the tooth and spread upwards, the opposite of a cracked tooth. You may not have many symptoms, and often a vertical root fracture can go unnoticed for a long period. They often go unnoticed until the crack starts damaging surrounding gums and bone, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your regular dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be pulled, but often an experienced Dellwood, MO dentist can repair it with endodontic therapy.

If you think you’re having symptoms of a broken tooth, see a dentist as soon as possible. One of the benefits of having biannual dental examinations is that your dentist can see any damage that you are not experiencing symptoms from.

Broken Tooth Repair Dellwood, MO | Dental Bonding and Crowns | Cosmetic Dentistry Near Dellwood

Causes of Broken Teeth in Dellwood, MO

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

  • Trauma to the mouth or face — A blow 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, 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 breaking.
  • Poor dental hygiene — Not following good dental hygiene can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more vulnerable to chipping.
  • Teeth grinding Called bruxism in the medical world, teeth clenching or grinding can lead to a broken tooth.

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, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in Dellwood, 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 a skilled dentist will be able to keep your teeth functional and return your full smile through other methods. Here are several treatments that your Dellwood, 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 attached with a high-intensity laser. Bonding can typically be completed in a single visit and is relatively inexpensive. 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 significant damage, a dental veneer may be a good option. A veneer is a thin 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 involves 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, natural-looking solution for a broken tooth.
  • 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 normal appearance and functionality. Crowns can be constructed from numerous different materials, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable with proper care. The process involves removing the cracked part of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are often the best option for significant damage.
  • Root canal If the damage to the tooth has reached the pulp, a root canal may be necessary. In a root canal, the damaged part of the inner tooth 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 restore its appearance and functionality. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and staving off further damage to the tooth.
  • Dental implants If the broken tooth has to be extracted, dental implants are the modern alternative to permanent tooth replacement. With an implant, a small titanium post will be attached to your jawbone, and a porcelain crown that looks and performs just like a normal tooth is placed over the screw. The process usually consists of three appointments:
    1. The screw is attached
    2. After the screw has fused with your jawbone, your Dellwood, MO dentist will prepare impressions for the crown
    3. You receive your brand new tooth

    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 eases pain, makes it less likely that a crack will get worse, ensures the tooth can function normally, and can restore a confident, bright smile.

Broken Tooth Repair Dellwood, MO | Cosmetic Dentistry | Restorative Dentistry Near Dellwood

Preventing Broken Teeth in Dellwood, 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 play sports or are a weekend warrior, 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 checkups and cleanings and polishings can make your teeth stronger.
  • Address dental problems promptly — If you have decay, gingivitis, or another 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 recommend 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 Dellwood, MO

A broken tooth can be a painful and inconvenient experience, but there are ways to make your tooth look and feel like new again. It’s important to get care 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 Dellwood, MO residents regain the function and confidence of their smiles. We particularly enjoy helping patients who feel apprehensive about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or contact us online for your broken tooth repair in Dellwood, MO.