St. John, MO

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

Broken tooth repair in St. John, MO. A broken tooth can be a painful and troubling experience. Thankfully, a professional dentist can prepare a broken tooth, even if the tooth is almost completely gone. Plaza Dental Center is dedicated to helping St. John, MO residents of all ages get the quality dental care they need, with a team that is strives to be friendly and professional. If you need broken tooth repair in St. John, MO, speak to a team member at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website.

Steps to Take After Breaking Your Tooth

Needing to fix a broken tooth is an emergency dental service, so you should see a dentist in St. John, MO as soon as possible. If you have a chipped tooth and the damage is minimal, you may not have any symptoms at first. The enamel that makes up the outer layer of our teeth is the strongest tissue humans have. Nonetheless, after an injury or due to poor dental hygiene, it can still be splintered. When that happens, the inner pulp can be uncovered, causing pain and, if you don’t see medical care, infection.

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

• Gather any substantial pieces of the tooth that are no longer attached to your teeth
• 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 jagged 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 see any uncovered yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, see your St. John, MO dentist immediately.

5 Types of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the seriousness of the fracture and where on the tooth it is. In general, broken teeth are classified into five types:

1. Craze lines are tiny 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 aesthetic reasons.
2. A fractured cusp occurs when a part of the top surface of the tooth breaks off. These happen more easily to teeth with a substantial amount of fillings. These usually don’t hurt the pulp and therefore don’t cause much pain, however you may experience some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means a crack extends from the chewing surface of a tooth toward its root. 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 pulled out.
4. A split tooth occurs when the crack in a tooth is not treated promptly. When that happens, the tooth has split into two separate parts from the top down to the root. Most times it won’t be possible to save the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures start at the root of the tooth and spread upwards, the opposite of a cracked tooth. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. They often go unnoticed until the crack starts damaging surrounding tissue, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your regular dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be extracted, but often an experienced St. John, 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 advantages to going to consistent dental examinations is that your dentist can see any damage that you are not experiencing symptoms from.

Causes of Broken Teeth in St. John, MO

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

• Trauma to the mouth or face — Trauma to the face or mouth, such as during athletic events or an accident, can cause a tooth to break.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects such as ice, nuts, or inedible object can also lead to a broken tooth.
• Cavities or decay — When a tooth is weakened by decay, it can become more susceptible to breaking.
• 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 dental world, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

It’s important to seek treatment early for the best restorative results. Ignoring a broken tooth can lead to more serious complications, such as infection, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss.

Treatment Options for Broken Teeth in St. John, MO

Your treatment options for your broken tooth will depend on your unique situation. The goal will be to try to avoid extracting the tooth, but even if it has to be pulled an experienced dentist will be able to keep your teeth functional and return your full smile through other methods. Here are several options that your St. John, MO dentist may advise:

• Dental bonding — For cracks that are not too serious, dental bonding may be an option. In this treatment, a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the damaged area and then attached with an LED light. Bonding can typically be completed in one visit and is among the cheaper options for repairing a broken tooth. Bonding is a good option for fixing your tooth’s appearance, but may not be the best option for more severe damage.
• Dental veneers — For more serious damage, 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 improve the appearance of a broken tooth and can last for many years if taken care of correctly. The process consists of removing a small amount of enamel from the damaged tooth, then bonding 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 its shape, size, and strength. Crowns can be made from various substances, such as porcelain or metal, and can last for many years with proper care. The process consists of removing the damaged portion 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 pulp, you may need a root canal. In this procedure, 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 over the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality. Root canals are often necessary for restoring structure and staving off infection.
• Dental implants — If the broken tooth needs to be pulled, dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace the tooth. With an implant, a small titanium post 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 consists of three appointments:
  1. The screw is attached
  2. After the screw forms a permanent bond with the bone, your St. John, MO dentist will make 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 broken bones in your legs, arms, or elsewhere, 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 make you proud of your smile again.

Preventing Broken Teeth in St. John, MO

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

• Don’t chew on hard objects — Refrain from biting down on hard objects such as ice or inedible objects.
• Wear a mouthguard — If you engage in sports or other physical activities, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from trauma and injury.
• Practice proper dental health — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist regularly for examinations and cleanings and polishings can make your teeth stronger.
• Address dental problems promptly — If you have decay, gingivitis, or another dental issue, seek treatment promptly. Ignoring dental problems 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 St. John, 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 get care as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping St. John, MO residents regain the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping patients who are nervous about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or contact us through our website for your broken tooth repair in St. John, MO.