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://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Restorations in Alexandria, VA.
Dental restorations are used to repair or strengthen damaged teeth and to replace missing teeth. The damage may be the result of routine decay, extensive decay, fractures, weak gums, and many other dental issues. Dentists recommend restorations based on the tooth, its location, the source of trouble, the health of surrounding teeth, tooth color, patient…
For patients who have damaged or decaying teeth, dental restorations may be a necessity. Dentists use a variety of restorative procedures to protect and repair the structural integrity of an individual's teeth. Some of the most common restoration procedures may include dentures, crowns, and fillings.No individual should suffer from severe tooth pain or discomfort. Decaying…
Dental restorations have been used for thousands of years. In fact, a 2012 article published by The New York Times details the discovery of a 6,500-year-old human jawbone. Considered the earliest evidence of dental fillings, it had beeswax in one tooth, which researchers believe was to ease the pain of a crack. These days, restorations…
Thanks to advanced dental restorations, tooth loss is not the inevitable outcome of decay or damage that it once was. Restorations — including fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants — are designed to restore or replace damaged tooth structures or to prevent the advancement of decay. Many restorations can also improve the appearance of a patient’s…
It can be helpful to learn more about what dentists are able to do for…
A tooth extraction is much less intimidating once you know what to expect, how to…
Considering a smile makeover and not sure where to start? Read on to learn more.…
It is all too common to avoid dental cleanings until a tooth begins to ache.…
Dental bridges are a solution to bridge the gap in one's teeth. Every smile tells…
If having a tooth extraction makes you nervous, know that it is a relatively common…
