Kirkwood, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Kirkwood, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Kirkwood, MO. A broken tooth can impact your daily activities such as eating and talking, and can also impact your self-confidence. Fortunately, there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is devoted to helping Kirkwood, MO residents from toddlers to grandparents get the excellent dental services they need, with a team that is strives to be friendly and professional. If you’re interested in broken tooth repair in Kirkwood, MO, speak to a team member at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Steps to Take After a Broken Tooth

Repairing a broken tooth is an emergency dental service, so you should schedule an appointment with a dentist in Kirkwood, MO immediately after you discover the tooth is broken. If you have a cracked tooth where you just lost some of your tooth’s outer layer, you may not have any symptoms at first. The enamel that covers our teeth is stronger than any bone in our bodies. However, after an injury or due to poor oral habits, it can still be splintered. In those instances, the inner pulp can be unprotected, leading to pain and, if untreated, infection.

There are some self-care measures 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 broke off
• Rinse what’s left of your tooth 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 sharp edge, you can protect it with a piece of sugarless gum
• Don’t eat hard foods and don’t use that side of your mouth to chew

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

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the seriousness of the chip and its location on the tooth. Generally, broken teeth are classified into five types:

1. Craze lines are tiny cracks in the enamel. They are ordinary, and you may not notice you have it. They often don’t require treatment except for aesthetic reasons.
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 affect the nerves inside the tooth and consequently don’t result in much pain, however symptoms may include some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means the fracture descends from the chewing surface of a tooth down to the gum line. As the crack can start small and get longer, saving the tooth requires to get treated early on. If the crack extends below the gum line the tooth will probably be pulled out.
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. 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 extend up, the opposite of a cracked tooth. You may not have symptoms at first, and often a vertical root fracture can go undetected if you don’t see a dentist regularly. They often go unnoticed until the crack starts damaging surrounding tissue, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your biannual dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be pulled, but often a skilled Kirkwood, 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 see a dentist at your earliest convenience. One of the benefits of having consistent dental examinations is that your dentist can see any damage that you are not experiencing symptoms from.

Causes of Broken Teeth in Kirkwood, MO

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

• An injury to the mouth or face — An injury to the face or mouth, such as during sports or an 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 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 practicing good dental hygiene can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more susceptible to damage.
• 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 for the best restorative results. Ignoring a broken tooth can cause more serious complications, such as infection, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss.

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth in Kirkwood, MO

The treatment for a broken tooth will depend on your specific circumstances. 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 Kirkwood, MO dentist may advise:

• 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 an LED light. Bonding usually takes place in one appointment 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 recommended for more significant damage.
• Dental veneers — For more severe fractures, a dental veneer may be recommended. 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 are durable with proper care. The process consists of taking a small amount of enamel from the damaged 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 a more extensive fracture, 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 made from numerous different materials, such as porcelain or metal, and can last for many years with proper care. The procedure involves removing the cracked portion of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are a great option for significant damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the inner parts of the tooth, you may need a root canal. In a root canal, 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 over the tooth to return it to normal appearance and functionality. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and staving off infection.
• 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 small titanium post 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 Kirkwood, 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 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.

Preventing Broken Teeth in Kirkwood, MO

While we can’t control the unexpected, there are steps you can take 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 good oral health — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups 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. 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 safeguard your teeth.

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

A broken tooth can affect basic activities and make you less confident in your smile, but there are several options available for repairing the damage. It’s important to seek treatment promptly so the fracture or chip doesn’t lead to other dental problems. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Kirkwood, MO residents regain the function and confidence of their smiles. We particularly enjoy helping people of any age who feel apprehensive about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment through our website for your broken tooth repair in Kirkwood, MO.