Methods for Treating a Chipped or Broken Tooth

A Dentist Performs a Teeth Cleaning Treatment on a Patient in Parker, CO.

Did you know that fractured or broken teeth are one of the leading causes of tooth loss in first-world nations? This common and sometimes painful tooth injury can be challenging to endure in the best of times. However, there is hope. At Signature Smiles, we offer emergency dental services for those who suffer from fractured teeth. To learn more about what causes this condition, or to make an appointment to fix your broken teeth, contact Signature Smiles today.

What are Broken Teeth?

Broken teeth are teeth that have developed cracks in them. These injuries can result from a variety of behaviors. For instance, if you routinely chew on hard foods, such as ice or hard candy, your teeth may crack. Teeth may also fracture due to:

Grinding your teeth
Having large fillings that weaken the structure of the tooth
A heavy blow to the mouth, resulting from a car accident or a fistfight
An abrupt change in temperature

In addition, as we get older, our teeth may crack. In fact, most teeth fractures occur in people over the age of 50.

There are several types of broken teeth. How severe the fracture is will determine whether you need immediate treatment. For instance, craze lines, which are tiny cracks in the enamel, cause little or no pain. These fractures do not require treatment. A fractured cusp also doesn’t affect the center of the tooth where the nerves are, so it also doesn’t cause as much pain.

Conversely, if your broken teeth have cracks that go down to the gum line, they need treatment. If it hasn’t reached the gum line yet, your dentist may be able to save the tooth. However, if the crack goes beneath the gum line, the tooth might need to be extracted.

A split tooth is a tooth that is broken down to the gums and is now two separate segments. In such cases, your dentist may have to extract the tooth altogether. However, they may be able to save part of it.

How Can An Emergency Dentist Help Fix Fractured Teeth

If you have broken teeth, a dentist will generally address it in one of five ways.

No treatment: Your fractured teeth aren’t causing any pain, so the dentist will often leave these teeth alone.
Dental bonding: The dentist will use a plastic resin to fix the broken teeth. This resin will often restore the appearance and function of the tooth.
Applying a dental crown: Your dentist may choose to provide a dental crown or porcelain or ceramic prosthetic to fit over the damaged tooth.
Root canal: If a crack is so severe that it goes into the pulp of the broken teeth, your dentist or endodontist will remove the injured pulp. This procedure can restore the function of the tooth and prevent it from getting infected.
Extraction: In worst-case scenarios, your dentist may have to remove the broken teeth completely.

Only a dental expert can determine what the best course of action is for you.

Contact Signature Smiles

At Signature Smiles, we know that when you have broken teeth, it is frightening and can be painful. However, we want to help you mitigate or eliminate this pain. When you come to Signature Smiles in Parker, CO, you know that you’re getting the best care possible. We’re committed to helping you through this time of pain and uncertainty. Therefore, we make sure that our kind and compassionate treatment staff walk you through the process every step of the way. If you’re concerned that you may have fractured teeth, contact the experts at Signature Smiles by calling 720.513.8405 today.