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Glendale, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Glendale, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Glendale, MO. A broken tooth can be an agonizing and distressing experience. The good news is that a professional dentist can prepare a broken tooth, even if the tooth is almost completely gone. Plaza Dental Center is committed to helping Glendale, MO residents from toddlers to grandparents get the expert dental care they need, with a staff that is strives to be amiable and professional. If you’re looking for broken tooth repair in Glendale, 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 event, so you should make an appointment with a dentist in Glendale, MO immediately after you discover the tooth is broken. If you have a cracked tooth where the damage is minimal, you may not notice it right away. The enamel that covers our teeth is the strongest material in our bodies. However, because of decay or enough force, it’s not indestructible. In those instances, the inner pulp can be unprotected, causing pain and, if untreated, infection.

There are some at-home steps you can take to help manage any symptoms and ensure things at the dentist go as well as possible:

  • Gather any large pieces of the tooth that broke off
  • Rinse your mouth out with warm water
  • Take an over-the-counter medication if you’re experiencing pain (NOT a topical oral pain cream)
  • If the tooth has a sharp 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 care in Glendale, MO.

5 Types of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the seriousness of the damage and its location on the tooth. In general, broken teeth are broken down into five types:

  1. Craze lines are small cracks in the enamel. They are ordinary, and you may not notice you have it. Generally, the only reasons to get treatment is so it looks better.
  2. A fractured cusp occurs when a part of the top surface of the tooth detaches. These are more common with people with fillings. These usually don’t affect the pulp and therefore don’t result in much pain, however symptoms may include some tooth sensitivity.
  3. A cracked tooth means a crack goes from the chewing surface of a tooth toward its root. As the crack can spread, 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 the crack in a tooth is allowed to grow. When that happens, the tooth has split into two separate parts all the way 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, the opposite of a cracked tooth. 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 regular dental checkup. The tooth may have to be taken out, but often an experienced Glendale, MO dentist can restore the tooth with endodontic surgery.

If you think you may have a broken tooth but can’t tell, you should still make an appointment with a dentist at your earliest convenience. One of the benefits of having twice yearly dental examinations is that your dentist can see any damage that you are not experiencing symptoms from.

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

Causes of Broken Teeth in Glendale, MO

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

  • An injury to the mouth or face — An injury to the face or mouth, such as during sports or in a motor vehicle accident, can cause a tooth to break.
  • Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects such as 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 cracking.
  • Poor dental hygiene — Not following proper dental hygiene can weaken your enamel and surrounding tissue and make them more vulnerable 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, gingivitis, and even tooth loss.

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth in Glendale, 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 extracted a knowledgeable dentist will still be able to fully restore your smile. Below are some treatments that your Glendale, MO dentist may advise:

  • Dental bonding For cracks that are not too serious, dental bonding may be your best choice. In this procedure, a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the damaged area and then hardened with a high-intensity laser. 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 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 a good option. A veneer is a fine shell of porcelain or composite material that is custom-made to fit over the front surface of the tooth. Veneers can improve the appearance of a broken tooth and are durable with proper care. The process consists of taking a small amount of enamel from the broken tooth, then attaching the veneer to the tooth. Veneers cost more 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 its shape, size, and strength. Crowns are made from various substances, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable if taken care of correctly. The process involves removing the broken portion of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are a great option for extensive damage.
  • Root canal If the damage to the tooth has reached the inner parts of the tooth, you may require a root canal. In a root canal, the damaged part of the inner tooth 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 on top of the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and preventing further damage to the tooth.
  • Dental implants If the broken tooth has to be pulled, dental implants are the contemporary alternative to permanent tooth replacement. With an implant, a metal screw will be affixed to the bone in your jaw, and a porcelain crown that looks and performs just like a natural tooth is placed over the screw. The process usually consists of three appointments:
    1. The screw is attached
    2. After the screw forms a permanent bond with the bone, your Glendale, 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 never completely heal themselves. Getting treatment relieves 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.

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Preventing Broken Teeth in Glendale, MO

While accidents can happen, 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 engage in sports or other physical activities, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from trauma and injury.
  • Follow proper 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. Not doing so can weaken teeth.
  • Consider protective dental treatments — If you have weak or brittle teeth, your dentist may suggest 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 Glendale, 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 so the fracture or chip doesn’t lead to other dental problems. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Glendale, MO residents regain the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping people of any age who are nervous in the dentist’s chair get the dental care they need. Call 314-361-1818 or request an appointment online for your broken tooth repair in Glendale, MO.