How Broken Teeth Will Be Treated

By the time they reach later adulthood, most people will have experienced the chipping, fracturing, or breaking of a tooth. While these incidents are fairly common, many people endure the pain without seeking the help of dentists because of fear or dental anxiety. Lake Dental Clinic hopes that by explaining the repair procedures for these various types of damaged teeth, we can allay the fears that keep you from mending them.

Chipped Teeth

The most common type of damage repaired by dentists is a chipped tooth. Some of these chips can be purely aesthetic, taking off a piece of enamel from the face or top of the tooth. In cases where the chipped enamel leaves dentin exposed, patients can experience thermal and pressure sensitivity. Treatment for these types of damage are generally easy, fixed by bonding the broken portion back to the tooth, filling the enamel when broken off a molar, or capped with a crown.

Types of Cracks

Cracked teeth, unlike chipped teeth are not always as apparent, and can’t always be seen from the surface. Additionally, there are various types of cracks that can appear in teeth, meaning that the types of procedures required can vary greatly as well.

• Craze Lines: These cracks are purely superficial, appearing only in the enamel. It isn’t generally necessary to repair these cracks, but if you dislike the appearance, you can consult your dentist about filling them.
• Fractured Cusp: These types of fractures oftentimes occur in teeth that previously had fillings. Depending on severity, this fracture may or may not cause you pain, but should be treated to avoid a worsening of the break. Dentists treating these fractures by placing a new filling in the tooth, or placing a crown over the fracture so that it cannot break further.
• Cracked and Split Teeth: Teeth with cracks or splits can sometimes be treated, depending on the severity and depth of the crack. For teeth that are not cracked below the gum line, dentists will use a crown to prevent further breaking, with the addition of a root canal if the crack has reached the root. If the tooth is cracked below the gum line, or otherwise split entirely, you will often have to undergo an extraction, and later an implant or other restorative procedure to fill the gap. 
• Vertical Root Fracture: These are fractures that begin in the root and move up to the surface of the tooth. In such cases, the affected tooth will not show obvious signs of damage, but can manifest infection in the surrounding areas. Dentists in such a case will either remove the tooth, or perform an endodontic surgery if the tooth can be saved. 

Visit Our Restorative Dental Practice

If you are experiencing pain from a fracture or break in your teeth, or think that you may have one, then schedule an appointment with Lake Dental Clinic, where we are proud to serve the Camdenton, MO area. Call today!