When you have a broken tooth, the most important thing you can do is seek immediate treatment. A broken tooth can actually cause many issues if left untreated. Plano, TX dentist Dr. Sowell offers many treatment options for repair – if you see him as soon as possible. The longer you wait to have the tooth repaired, the more you risk damaging the tooth further.
Dr. Sowell’s solutions for a broken tooth include:
Dental crown – Permanent dental crowns are made of metal, porcelain fused to metal, all-resin, or all-ceramic materials. Each type has its own benefits. Crowns are like ‘caps’ that are custom-made to fit right over the tooth. They provide strength for the tooth and prevent decay.
Porcelain dental veneers – These ultra-thin outer shells can straighten and beautify your front teeth and smile. Porcelain veneers bond directly to the tooth and can hide almost any tooth imperfection.
Root canal – If the root has been exposed or infected by the broken or cracked tooth, a root canal may be necessary to repair and save the tooth. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic and will remove all the infected tissue.
Dental filling – Dr. Sowell uses a tooth-colored filling material that will seamlessly blend in with your tooth.
Tooth bonding – Tooth bonding involves using a plastic resin material that will be used to fill in the crack or can be shaped to create a missing part of the tooth.
Causes of Broken Teeth
There are many ways a tooth can break or crack. Although anyone can get a broken tooth, it usually happens to people over the age of 50. Causes include:
- Grinding or clenching teeth
- Large fillings that cause the tooth to become weak
- Chewing on hard foods such as hard candy or ice
- A bad bite that puts too much pressure on a tooth
- Trauma such as a car accident, fistfight, sports injury, or fall
Why Fix a Broken Tooth?
Broken teeth present cosmetic and oral health concerns. Anyone with a broken tooth on their front teeth will avoid smiling and having face-to-face conversations due to embarrassment. It can cause self-confidence issues and affect a person’s quality of life. Broken or cracked teeth are more susceptible to developing serious infections.
This infection can even spread to the bone and gums. Commonly called a tooth abscess, a tooth infection is very painful, causing swelling, fever, and bad breath. Without treatment, you also have an increased risk of getting a tooth cavity. Severe infections and decay can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Repairing a broken tooth can help stabilize your oral foundation for a beautiful smile. How we treat a broken tooth depends on the location of the tooth and the severity of the damage. We can fix a small break in one visit.
A severely broken tooth may need multiple visits or a more extensive treatment plan. Dr. Sowell will recommend the restorative dental procedure that best restores your smile and help support your long-term oral health.