A broken tooth is a common dental issue that fills most people with dread, especially when the crack is near the front of the mouth. Front teeth fractures are quite common among children, teenagers, and young adults. Fortunately, a dentist can recommend various repair or replacement options for damaged front teeth to help patients resume smiling.
Teeth are naturally durable, but various circumstances can cause them to weaken to the point of cracking, chipping, or breaking, including:
Front teeth are particularly vulnerable and can sustain damage that impacts the overall oral integrity. Sometimes, a fractured tooth is not so obvious, especially if the tooth is not visible when smiling. The most common signs of a broken tooth or teeth are pain, swelling, bleeding, and discoloration. However, the most obvious sign in the front teeth is a gap between the patient's gum and the tooth's edge. The patient may also notice loose teeth or bone fragments in their mouth that should not be there.
After breaking a front tooth, patients who visit a dental provider promptly can minimize complications, including infection. However, seeking treatment should still be the top priority for those who are not experiencing any immediate discomfort or pain-related symptoms. In addition, a dentist can determine one of the following restoration options depending on the extent of the damage.
A broken tooth can lead to infection by exposing the underlying pulp to oral bacteria. When that happens, a dentist must begin the restoration process with root canal therapy. The treatment involves removing the infected nerves and tissue from the channels within the root through a later sealed opening to prevent new infections. Once we restore the tooth's health, its appearance can be fixed.
A dentist may use a cap or crown on a broken tooth that requires root canal treatment or is missing a significant portion of its natural crown above the gumline. Crowning involves grinding and smoothing what remains of the visible natural incisor to ensure that the prosthetic cap fits appropriately. The replacement cover typically consists of porcelain, which has a natural appearance that a dentist can color match to surrounding teeth.
Bonding repairs minor chips and damage to front teeth. First, the tooth is sanded to achieve the rough surface necessary to hold an adhesive that attaches to the resin bonding material. Then, the dentist molds the resin into the desired shape and secures it in place with an ultraviolet light.
Dental veneers fit over chipped or cracked front teeth to mask imperfections. Veneer placement starts with grinding down the tooth to ensure the thin shell overlay does not protrude further than the surrounding teeth. Next, a lab technician prepares the shell to achieve precise color and proportions. In the final step, the dentist permanently adheres the veneer to the tooth with a bonding agent.
Sometimes a tooth can crack below the gum line, resulting in a severe infection. A dentist must pull it and install a titanium implant that replaces the natural root. A porcelain crown attaches to an abutment on the implant that extends through the gum. Implants are the most invasive and time-consuming option for restoring a broken tooth, requiring multiple treatment stages.
Regardless of the cause of a broken front tooth, the dentist must address this problem immediately to prevent further underlying damage. In addition, early intervention allows us to preserve as much of the patient's natural tooth structure as possible while avoiding decay in the future.
The dentist will decide which restorative option will be more effective for the patient after considering the cause of the break, the severity of the break, the patient's age, and the overall condition of their oral health.
In the end, you should know that there are many restoration options for you and any member of your family. A broken tooth near the front of the mouth can impact someone's appearance, oral health, dental function, and self-esteem. Our dentist can craft a plan to fix a newfound gap and restore your healthy smile. Unfortunately, there are no at-home quick fixes for a broken tooth, and the only way to prevent further and costly damage is by scheduling an appointment today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gledhilldental.com or call Gledhill Dental at (509) 800-8410 for an appointment in our Kennewick office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Can a Cracked Tooth be Saved with a Root Canal and Crown in Kennewick, WA.
A dentist can help patients restore lost teeth with traditional dental crowns or implant crowns. Tooth loss, regardless of the cause — accident or trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease — not only affects your self-esteem, but it may also contribute to major dental problems in the future.Although both are effective for tooth restoration, there…
Dental patients who are planning a visit to an implant dentist may be unfamiliar with the details regarding implants. It is crucial to learn as much information as possible before scheduling an appointment for this surgical procedure.A dental implant is a common permanent tooth replacement option that can be highly beneficial to a patient’s health…
Dental implant surgery is one of the most reliable and long-lasting ways to replace missing teeth. However, since this surgery involves inserting an artificial tooth root into the jawbone, it almost always causes some amount of pain. Before undergoing this surgery, many dental patients are worried about the level of pain they may experience afterward…
Typing dentist near me in your search box can give you a great start. Getting comprehensive oral care from the right dental care professional is the goal. A provider near you will give you easier access to necessary dental treatments. Entering dentist near me in your online search can give you an advantage in your…
Typing dentist near me in your search box can give you a great start. Getting comprehensive oral care from the right dental care professional is the goal. A provider near you will give you easier access to necessary dental treatments. Entering dentist near me in your online search can give you an advantage in your…
Curious about implant-supported dentures? Read on to learn more about this tooth-replacement option. If you are missing many teeth or perhaps a whole arch, implant-supported dentures are a great solution. Patients may eat and talk with more assurance since they are more secure and pleasant than conventional dentures. Yet, dental implant-supported dentures need considerable thought…