A broken tooth fills most people with dread, especially when it is near the front of the mouth. 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 oral health and appearance.
After breaking a front tooth, patients who visit a dental provider promptly can minimize complications, including infection. In addition, a dentist can determine an appropriate restoration depending on the extent of the damage.
A broken tooth can lead to infection when it exposes 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 an opening that is later sealed to prevent new infections. Once the tooth's health is restored, its appearance can be fixed.
A dentist may choose to cap or crown 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 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.
A broken tooth near the front of the mouth can impact someone's appearance, oral health, dental function, and self-esteem. Fortunately, advances in modern dentistry allow dentists to offer patients effective restoration options.
Request an appointment here: https://www.lastingimpressionsdentalgroup.com or call Lasting Impressions Dental Group at (832) 784-8212 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Broken Tooth in Houston, TX.
Dental phobia is typically classified as a more severe form of dental anxiety. It leads many people to avoid visiting the dentist altogether, and those who do visit the dentist battle through fear and severe anxiety. The good news is that there are effective ways for a general dentist to help patients who struggle with…
Due to the pain, you want to avoid a toothache and any problems with your gums. The solution is to focus on both as part of daily oral hygiene. That means you need to brush and floss after you eat, regardless of how many times a day. Also, you need to visit a dental clinic…
While much of the work done in general dentistry involves treating oral diseases, a lot of effort also goes into initial prevention. Regular cleanings and examinations go a long way toward preventing dental issues and avoiding escalation into more serious oral health problems. In addition, there are other, more specific dental procedures performed for preventive…
Every general dentist understands how debilitating anxiety can be to dental patients. Thinking about a dental appointment is enough to stop a person’s ability to do daily living activities. You may feel this way about an upcoming major dental procedure. If you want to know how to deal with dental anxiety, here are some tips…
Learn some suggestions from your Houston family dentist on how to improve your oral hygiene…
Dental crowns come in a range of material options, including zirconium and porcelain. These materials…
Dental crowns are a type of restoration that can last between 5 and 15 years…
Dental crowns are supposed to last forever, right? In the right set of circumstances, they…
Dental crowns protect teeth, and patients should not experience any complications such as increased teeth…
Most patients feel some discomfort after getting dental veneers. But dental functions will be normal…
