St. Louis, MO

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

Broken tooth repair in St. Louis, MO. A broken tooth can impact your basic activities like eating and speaking, and can also have consequences for your self-esteem. Luckily, there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is dedicated to helping St. Louis, MO residents of all ages get the expert dental services they need, with a team that is makes sure to be amiable and professional. If you require broken tooth repair in St. Louis, MO, speak to a team member at your earliest convenience at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment through our website.

Steps to Take After a Broken Tooth

Repairing a broken tooth is an emergency dental event, so you should see a dentist in St. Louis, MO immediately after your injury. If you have a chipped tooth and the damage is minimal, you may not notice it right away. The enamel that covers our teeth is stronger than any bone in our bodies. However, because of decay or enough force, it’s not unbreakable. In those instances, the nerves inside of the teeth can be exposed, leading to pain and, if you don’t see dental treatment, infection.

There are some things you can do at home to help your early symptoms and ensure things at the dentist go as well as possible:

• Collect any substantial pieces of the tooth that are no longer attached to your teeth
• Rinse your mouth out with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter medication if you’re experiencing pain (DO NOT TAKE a topical oral pain gel)
• 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 see any exposed yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, you should seek urgent dental care in St. Louis, MO.

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

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

1. Craze lines are tiny cracks in the 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 happens when a part of the tooth’s chewing surface detaches. These happen more easily to teeth with large fillings. These usually don’t affect the pulp and therefore don’t cause a whole lot of pain, however symptoms may include some sensitivity to temperatures.
3. A cracked tooth means a crack extends from the chewing surface of a tooth toward its root. As the crack can start small and get bigger, 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 pulled out.
4. A split tooth occurs when a cracked tooth goes untreated. When that happens, the tooth has split entirely in two. Most times it won’t be possible to save the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures start below the gum line and extend up, the opposite of a cracked tooth. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. Problems arise when the crack starts damaging surrounding tissue, however they can also be seen on an x-ray during your regular dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be taken out, but often an experienced St. Louis, MO dentist can restore the tooth with endodontic therapy.

If you think you’re having symptoms of a broken tooth, see a dentist at your earliest convenience. One of the benefits of going to regular dental examinations is that your dentist will be able to tell if you have any dental problems you’re not aware of.

Causes of Broken Teeth in St. Louis, MO

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

• Trauma to the mouth or face — Trauma 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 like 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 vulnerable to cracking.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not following proper oral health can weaken your enamel and surrounding tissue and make them more prone to chipping.
• Teeth grinding — Called bruxism in the dental world, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible for the best restorative results. Ignoring a broken tooth can result in more serious complications, such as infection, periodontitis, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in St. Louis, 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 an experienced dentist will be able to keep your teeth functional and return your full smile through other methods. Below are several treatments that your St. Louis, 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 relatively inexpensive. Bonding is a good option for minor damage to the front teeth, but may not be the best option for more extensive damage.
• Dental veneers — For more severe cracks, a dental veneer may be a good option. A veneer is a thin coating of porcelain or composite material that is custom-made to fit over the front surface of the tooth. Veneers can make a broken tooth look better and can last for many years with proper care. The process consists of removing a small amount of enamel from the damaged tooth, then bonding 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 a more extensive break, 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 numerous different substances, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable with proper care. The procedure consists of removing the damaged part of the tooth and capping what’s left with a crown. Crowns are often the best 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 or infected pulp is taken out, and the root canals are cleaned and sealed. 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 has to be extracted, dental implants are the modern alternative to permanent tooth replacement. With an implant, a metal screw will be attached to your jawbone, and a porcelain crown that looks and acts just like a natural tooth is capped onto the screw. The process usually consists of three appointments:
  1. The screw is attached
  2. After the screw has fused with your jawbone, your St. Louis, 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 broken bones in your legs, arms, or elsewhere, broken teeth never completely heal themselves. 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. Louis, MO

While accidents can happen, there are things you can do to prevent broken teeth:

• Avoid chewing 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 play sports or are a weekend warrior, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from trauma and injury.
• Follow proper oral hygiene — 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 decay, gingivitis, or another dental issue, seek treatment as soon as possible. Ignoring dental problems can make teeth more susceptible to breaking.
• 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 protect your teeth.

Call Plaza Dental Center For Your Broken Tooth Repair in St. Louis, 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 promptly to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping St. Louis, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping people of any age who feel nervous about going to the dentist. Call 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment online for your broken tooth repair in St. Louis, MO.