Teeth that are broken, cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged are not as uncommon as we might think. Throughout your life, you will almost certainly have a few damaged teeth that need to be seen by a dentist.
Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth can be painful, depending on the depth of the damage, but treatment is available for almost any situation. If you need broken tooth repair, contact our office right away. We are here to help!
What Causes Broken, Cracked, and Chipped Teeth?
Damaged teeth can come suddenly from trauma or from longtime habits that gradually wear your teeth down. The most common causes include:
- Sudden Trauma: Getting hit in the mouth or jaw area can cause damage to your teeth. If you experience mouth/tooth pain after such an event, contact your dentist immediately.
- Bruxism: Otherwise known as “night grinding” this longtime bad habit can lead to broken, cracked, and chipped teeth. Night grinding wears down the enamel that protects your teeth, and leaves them susceptible to damage.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Your teeth are covered by strong enamel, but you have to take care of it through regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits. Bad habits can catch up to you, causing cavities and other problems.
- Biting on Something Hard: One bad bite on ice or hard candy can get you a damaged tooth in return. Even if you often chew on hard substances without a problem, you never know when that can suddenly cause a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth!
Our team is equipped to handle either situation, so if you need broken tooth repair, call today!
Broken, Cracked, and Chipped Tooth Treatment Options
Whatever caused your broken, cracked, or chipped tooth, you have several treatment options. Each situation is different, and our highly-trained team at Aspen Ridge Dental will be able to identify the best treatment method for you.
Common Tooth Repair Treatments
- Dental Bonding: Resin material is bonded to your existing tooth to fill in cavities or improve the color of your teeth. Dental bonding is also great for cracked tooth repair. It seals the crack and prevents bacteria from entering the tooth.
- Dental Crowns: Crowns are caps placed on top of damaged teeth. This is a common treatment option for large cavities, tooth infections, or badly broken teeth that can’t be repaired.
- Tooth Extraction: Sometimes the best option is just to remove the tooth entirely. If this is the broken tooth repair method recommended for you, ask about our dental implant tooth replacement options.
- Dental implants: Should a tooth extraction be required, our team is uniquely suited to replace those teeth. Dr. Youmans is the only dentist in Wyoming who is board certified by the American Board of Oral Implantology.
- Veneers: Veneers are an increasingly popular chipped tooth repair treatment option. A veneer is a thin, tooth-colored shell that is placed over the chipped or otherwise damaged tooth.
Is It an Emergency?
A broken, cracked, or chipped tooth is not a pleasant experience, but it is not always cause for immediate alarm. You should seek chipped tooth repair immediately if you are experiencing a lot of pain or there are sharp fragments in your mouth. If you have noticed some damage to your tooth, but you don’t have any pain, you can make an appointment in a few days’ time.
Regardless of the damage, once you notice you have a damaged tooth you need to make an appointment with your dentist. Damaged teeth do not get better on their own, and they will require specialized treatment by a trained professional.
How To Prevent Damaged Teeth
Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth can cause discomfort and affect the appearance of your smile. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent them from happening in the first place.
- Avoid using your teeth as tools. Your teeth are designed for biting and chewing food, not opening packages or cracking nuts. Using your teeth as tools can put undue pressure on them and increase the risk of cracks, chips, and breaks. Protect your teeth! Take the time to use scissors.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports. Sports-related injuries are a common cause of dental trauma, and wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can help protect your teeth from impact. Talk to your dentist about how to find a proper mouthguard.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and bacteria that can weaken tooth enamel. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can also help identify and address any early signs of tooth damage before they become more serious.
- Be mindful of what you eat and drink. Hard, crunchy foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies can put pressure on your teeth and increase the risk of damage. Sugary and acidic foods and drinks can also weaken tooth enamel and make your teeth more vulnerable to cracks, chips, and breaks.
Even with all the caution and preparation in the world, accidents can still happen. When they do, Aspen Ridge Dental is here for you! Our fantastic dentists can repair your cracked, chipped, or broken teeth with skill and precision. You’ll have your whole smile back soon.
Contact Aspen Ridge Dental Today for Cracked Tooth Repair
Our compassionate and highly-trained staff are available to answer questions about your oral health and address your concerns about dental treatment.
If you are experiencing tooth pain, either from a traumatic event or from daily life, feel free to contact us today.
