Velda Village, MO

Broken Tooth Repair in Velda Village, MO: Restoring Your Smile

Broken tooth repair in Velda Village, MO. A broken tooth can impact your basic activities like chewing and speaking, and can also affect your self-confidence. The good news is that there are several options available for repairing a broken tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. Plaza Dental Center is dedicated to helping Velda Village, MO residents young and old get the expert dental services they need, with a staff that is strives to be friendly and professional. If you’re interested in broken tooth repair in Velda Village, MO, call Plaza today at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment through our website.

What to Do After a Broken Tooth?

Needing to fix a broken tooth is an emergency dental service, so you should schedule an appointment with a dentist in Velda Village, MO as quickly as possible. If you have a chipped tooth where the damage is minimal, you may not notice it right away. The enamel that makes up the outer layer of our teeth is stronger than any bone in our bodies. Nevertheless, after an injury or due to poor oral hygiene, it can still be cracked. In those instances, the inner pulp can be unprotected, causing pain and, if you don’t see medical treatment, infection.

There are some things you can do yourself to help your early symptoms and ensure things at the dentist go smoothly:

• Gather any substantial pieces of the tooth that broke off
• Wash your mouth out with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter medication if you’re in pain (NOT a topical dental 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 avoid chewing on that side of your mouth

If you see any exposed yellow dentin or red tooth pulp, see your Velda Village, MO dentist immediately.

5 Types of Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are often described by the severity of the damage and its location on the tooth. In general, broken teeth are broken down into five types:

1. Craze lines are small cracks that are just on the outside of the enamel. They are common, and they can be hard to discover. Generally, the only reasons to get treatment is so it looks better.
2. A fractured cusp occurs when a part of the top surface of the tooth breaks off. These happen more easily to teeth with large fillings. These usually don’t harm the pulp and consequently don’t result in a whole lot of pain, however symptoms may include some tooth sensitivity.
3. A cracked tooth means the break goes from the top of the tooth beneath the gum line. As the crack can spread, 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 probably be extracted.
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 chewing surface down to the root. Only in rare occasions is it possible to save the tooth.
5. Vertical root fractures begin at the root of the tooth and extend up, the opposite of a cracked tooth. Symptoms are usually fairly delayed. Problems arise when the crack affects the surrounding gums and bone, however they are detectable in an x-ray during your twice yearly dentist appointment. The tooth may have to be extracted, but often a professional Velda Village, MO dentist can repair it with endodontic surgery.

If you think you may have a broken tooth but can’t tell, you should still see a dentist as soon as possible. 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 Velda Village, MO

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

• An injury to the mouth or face — Trauma to the face or mouth, such as during sports or in a motor vehicle 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 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 following proper dental health can weaken your teeth and gums and make them more vulnerable to damage.
• Teeth grinding — Called bruxism in the dental world, teeth clenching or grinding can cause teeth to become chipped.

It’s essential to seek treatment early to prevent further damage or infection. Not getting treatment can result in more serious complications, such as infection, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss.

How Plaza Dental Center Treats a Broken Tooth in Velda Village, MO

The treatment for a broken tooth will depend on your unique circumstances. We will try to avoid extracting the tooth, but even if it has to be pulled a skilled dentist will still be able to fully restore your smile. Here are several options that your Velda Village, MO dentist may suggest:

• Dental bonding — For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding may be an option. In this treatment, a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the damaged area and then fixed with a special light. Bonding usually takes place in one appointment and is relatively inexpensive. Bonding is a good option for fixing your tooth’s appearance, but may not be recommended for more significant damage.
• Dental veneers — For more serious damage, a dental veneer may be recommended. A veneer is a fine 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 are durable with proper care. The process involves taking a small amount of enamel from the broken 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, 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 constructed from numerous different materials, such as porcelain or metal, and are incredibly durable with proper care. The procedure involves removing the broken part of the tooth and capping what’s left with a crown. Crowns are a great choice for extensive damage.
• Root canal — If the damage to the tooth has reached the pulp, you may require 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 crown is then placed on top of the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality. 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 extracted, dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace the tooth. 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 consists of three appointments:
  1. The screw is attached
  2. After the screw has fused with your jawbone, your Velda Village, MO dentist will make impressions for the crown
  3. The crown is placed over the screw

  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 do not completely heal. Getting treatment relieves 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 Velda Village, MO

While accidents can happen, 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 proper oral care — Brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist twice a year 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. Not doing so can weaken teeth.
• 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 protect your teeth.

Call Plaza Dental Center For Your Broken Tooth Repair in Velda Village, 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 get care as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. At Plaza Dental Center, we take great pride in helping Velda Village, MO residents restore the function and confidence of their smiles. We’re especially interested in helping people of any age who are nervous in the dentist’s chair get the dental care they need. Call 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment online for your broken tooth repair in Velda Village, MO.