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://princewilliamdental.com or call Prince William Dental at (703) 662-8287 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Broken Tooth in Gainesville, VA.
Fluoride is an all-around defense for your teeth, gums, and whole mouth. This is why many towns add the mineral to drinking water as a matter of public health. Dentists also use fluoride treatments to protect their patients’ teeth from tooth decay.Read on for a brief walkthrough of how fluoride protects the teeth at a…
A toothache can do more than cause you pain and swelling. A painful tooth means a possible infection that can cause fever, earache, and migraine. If left untreated, a toothache can cause serious complications to your health. Recurring tooth pain should be taken seriously and requires the attention of a dental professional.Dentists treat each case…
Fluoride treatments are a method of cleaning teeth that your general dentist can provide. It is a naturally occurring mineral found in water and food that can go a long way toward protecting your teeth. It is vital to keep the tooth enamel healthy and fight off bacteria that can harm your teeth and gums…
Dentists recognize many types of toothaches. Each tooth pain carries a different intensity and meaning, and each type is caused by a different dental issue. You may not know what kind of ache you have right now. Understanding it, and getting in touch with a licensed dentist to alleviate your pain, are important steps in…
Dentures can be the perfect solution for missing one or multiple teeth. After all, your smile says a lot about you. The first thing a new acquaintance may notice about you is your teeth, and you want that first impression to be a pleasant one. Dentures can help restore your smile, but it's important that…
Stepping into a cosmetic dentist’s clinic gives you the chance to look at how your smile can improve. The first visit will be an educational one. It also gives your dentist a chance to know you better. Here are the things that you should expect during your first visit to your cosmetic dentist.The cosmetic dentist…