A broken tooth, in most cases, can be repaired. However, the fact that the tooth fractured should concern you. Understanding why it happened could possibly prevent it from happening again. Teeth get brittle as we get older and do not flex when we bite on them. This brittleness is often the cause of tooth fractures. Patients should aways be careful about what they eat. Some habits, such as chewing ice or bitting on hard candies, should be avoided.
A broken tooth usually has a large dental filling which weakened the tooth. When teeth with large fillings fracture, they generally need a tooth crown or can they can be temporarily fixed with a large filling. However, large fillings are usually not very strong and can later break themselves. If the break is a small chip, a white filling can be bonded to the enamel. For front teeth, a porcelain veneer is the most cosmetic option. In some cases all that is needed is having the rough edges of a small crack shaped with dental diamonds using a procedure called cosmetic tooth contouring.
If a deep break extends into the nerve, a root canal may be necessary. Many severe broken teeth are due to extensive tooth decay that has grown over many years. In really bad cases, a broken tooth can not be saved and must be removed. A dental implant or bridge can usually be made to correct this problem. Fortunately, there are many dental alternatives.
A broken tooth can be the result of grinding your teeth and a TMJ problem. Some patients need a mouth guard constructed to protect their teeth at night. Many of these patients experience interesting dental dreams of losing their teeth. If the break was from trauma, it is very important to see a dentist as soon as possible. The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. If you are have a tooth problem and would like to consult with Atlanta Family Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky or with Dr. Jeffrey Stephen Smith about a broken tooth repair, please call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.