University City, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in University City, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in University City, MO. A broken tooth can impact your daily tasks such as eating and talking, and can also affect your confidence. 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 University City, MO residents from toddlers to grandparents get the expert dental services they need, with a staff that is strives to be friendly and professional. If you need broken tooth repair in University City, MO, call Plaza today at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment 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 University City, MO immediately after your injury. If you have a cracked tooth and you just lost some of your tooth’s outer layer, you may not notice it right away. The enamel that covers our teeth is the hardest tissue in our bodies. Nevertheless, after an injury or due to poor oral hygiene, it can still be splintered. When that happens, the nerves inside of the teeth can be unprotected, leading to pain and, if untreated, infection.

There are some self-care steps you can take to help your early symptoms and ensure things at the dentist go smoothly:

• Gather any substantial pieces of the tooth that are no longer attached to your teeth
• Wash what’s left of your tooth with salt 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 jagged edge, you can shield 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 spot any uncovered yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, see your University City, MO dentist immediately.

5 Kinds of Broken Tooth

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

1. Craze lines are tiny cracks that are just on the outside of the enamel. They are common, 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 tooth’s chewing surface breaks off. These happen more commonly to teeth with a substantial amount of fillings. These usually don’t harm the pulp and therefore don’t result in much pain, however you may experience some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means the break goes from the chewing surface of a tooth down to the gum line. As the crack can spread, saving the tooth requires to get treated early on. If the crack starts approaching the tooth root the tooth will probably be extracted.
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 save the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures begin below the gum line and extend up, instead of a crack on the top of the tooth extending down. You may not have symptoms at first, and often a vertical root fracture can go undetected for a long period. They often go unnoticed until the crack starts damaging surrounding gums and bone, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your biannual dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be extracted, but often a skilled University City, 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 twice yearly dental examinations is that your dentist can see any damage that you are not experiencing symptoms from.

Causes of Broken Teeth in University City, MO

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

• Trauma to the mouth or face — Trauma to the face or mouth, such as during sports or in a fall, can cause a tooth to break.
• Biting down on hard objects — Biting down on hard objects like 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 prone to cracking.
• Poor dental hygiene — Not practicing good dental health can weaken your enamel and surrounding tissue and make them more prone to damage.
• Teeth grinding — Also known as bruxism, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

It’s essential to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. Not getting treatment can lead to more serious complications, such as infection, gingivitis, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in University City, MO

Your treatment options for your broken tooth will depend on the type of break, where it is on the tooth, and the extent of the damage. We will try to save the tooth, but even if it has to be extracted a knowledgeable dentist will be able to keep your teeth functional and return your full smile through other methods. Below are some treatments that your University City, MO dentist may advise:

• Dental bonding — For cracks that are not too serious, dental bonding may be your best bet. 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 extensive cracks, a dental veneer may be recommended. A veneer is a thin 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 involves removing a small amount of enamel from the damaged tooth, then affixing 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 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 can be constructed from various substances, such as porcelain or metal, and can last for many years if taken care of correctly. The procedure consists of removing the cracked 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 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 root canals are cleaned and sealed. A cap is then placed over 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 needs to be pulled, dental implants are the contemporary 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 normal tooth is placed over the screw. The process usually consists of three appointments:
  1. The screw is attached
  2. After the screw has fused with your jawbone, your University City, 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 fractures in your legs, arms, or elsewhere, broken teeth do not completely heal. Getting treatment relieves 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 University City, MO

While accidents can happen, there are steps you can take 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 dental hygiene — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist regularly for examinations 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, seek treatment as soon as possible. Ignoring dental problems can make teeth more susceptible to damage.
• 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 University City, MO

A broken tooth can affect basic activities and make you less confident in your smile, but there are ways to make your tooth look and feel like new again. It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible so the fracture or chip doesn’t lead to other issues. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping University City, MO residents regain the function and confidence of their smiles. We particularly enjoy 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 University City, MO.