St. Ann, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in St. Ann, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in St. Ann, MO. A broken tooth can be a painful and upsetting time. 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 St. Ann, MO residents of all ages get the excellent dental services they need, with a team that is always amiable and professional. If you require broken tooth repair in St. Ann, MO, speak to a team member at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.

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 St. Ann, MO immediately after you discover the tooth is broken. If you have a cracked tooth where the damage is minimal, you may not have any symptoms at first. The enamel that covers our teeth is the strongest tissue in our bodies. Yet, through decay or enough force, it can still be broken. In those instances, the inner pulp can be exposed, causing pain and, if you don’t see medical treatment, infection.

There are some self-care measures you can take to help manage any pain 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
• Wash your mouth out with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you’re in pain (DO NOT TAKE a topical dental pain gel)
• If the tooth has a sharp edge, you can protect it with some sugarless gum
• Eat soft foods and don’t use that side of your mouth to chew

If you spot any uncovered yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, see your St. Ann, MO dentist immediately.

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

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

1. Craze lines are small cracks that only affect the outer enamel. These are pretty ordinary, and they can be hard to discover. They often don’t require treatment except for if the cracks are on the front teeth.
2. A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the top surface of the tooth breaks off. These happen more commonly to teeth with large fillings. These usually don’t hurt the nerves inside the tooth 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 top of the tooth down to the gum line. As the crack can spread, saving the tooth requires an early diagnosis. If the crack extends below the gum line the tooth will probably 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 chewing surface down to the root. Most times it won’t be possible to repair your mouth without extracting the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures start at the root of the tooth and spread upwards, instead of a crack on the chewing surface extending down. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. They often go unnoticed until the crack starts damaging surrounding gums and bone, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your biannual dental checkup. The tooth may have to be extracted, but often an experienced St. Ann, MO dentist can restore the tooth with endodontic therapy.

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 St. Ann, MO

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

• Trauma to the mouth or face — An injury to the face or mouth, such as during sports or in a traffic-related accident, can cause a tooth to break.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects like ice, nuts, 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 damage.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not practicing proper dental health can weaken your enamel and surrounding tissue and make them more susceptible to damage.
• Teeth grinding — Also known as bruxism, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

It’s essential to seek treatment early to minimize how invasive a corrective procedure will be. Not getting treatment can result in more serious complications, such as infection, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in St. Ann, MO

The treatment for a broken tooth will depend on your unique situation. We will try to save 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. Below are several options that your St. Ann, MO dentist may suggest:

• 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 fixed with a special light. Bonding can typically be completed in one 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 recommended for more serious damage.
• Dental veneers — For more extensive cracks, a dental veneer may be a good option. 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 can last for many years with proper care. The process consists of taking 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, natural-looking solution for a broken tooth.
• Dental crowns — For severe damage or decay, 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 are made from various substances, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable if taken care of correctly. The procedure consists of removing the damaged part of the tooth and placing a crown over the remaining healthy tooth structure. Crowns are a great choice for significant damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the inner parts of the tooth, a root canal may be necessary. 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 on top of the tooth to protect it and restore its function. 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 contemporary alternative to permanent tooth replacement. With an implant, a metal screw will be affixed to your jawbone, and a porcelain crown that looks and acts 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 St. Ann, MO dentist will prepare 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 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 spread, ensures the tooth can function normally, and can restore a confident, bright smile.

Preventing Broken Teeth in St. Ann, MO

While we can’t control the unexpected, there are things you can do 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 good oral hygiene — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist consistently for checkups 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. Not doing so can make teeth more susceptible to breaking.
• 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 St. Ann, 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 promptly to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping St. Ann, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping people of any age who feel apprehensive about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website for your broken tooth repair in St. Ann, MO.