September 24, 2021
Introduction
A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency if the patient experiences pain or bleeding along with it, or in cases where the tooth has been completely knocked out.
The enamel covering the teeth is the strongest tissue in the human body, but it can still sometimes break or crack.
A dentist diagnoses a fractured tooth through a clinical examination & radiography.
Additionally, a severe impact can break the jaw. If the patient is unable to bring the upper and lower teeth together when closing the mouth, a dentist should be immediately consulted.
In the cases, where the tooth has only sustained a small amount of damage to the enamel and there is no pain or bleeding, the patient may wait for a day or so, as long as proper oral hygiene is practiced.
A few common causes of tooth breakage are eating hard food, falls, accidents, tooth injury, or cavities.
Various Types of Cracked Teeth
Craze Lines
Tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel & are common in adults are called Craze lines.
They are shallow and cause no pain. The only concern with them is the way they look.
Fractured Cusp
Breaking off of a tooth’s chewing surface is called a fractured cusp. It is usually painless.
Cracked Tooth
A crack that extends from the chewing surface toward the root is called a cracked tooth.
Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial in this case to save the tooth. If left untreated it will get worse with time and can result in loss of the tooth.
Split Tooth
Usually the result of a long-term cracked tooth, the split tooth is identified by a crack with various segments that can be segregated. It is difficult to save a split tooth intact.
Vertical Root Fracture
The cracks which begin in the root of the tooth & extend toward the chewing surface are termed Vertical root fractures.
As they mostly show minimal signs and symptoms, they are often discovered when the surrounding bone and gum start to become infected.
Treatment Options at Kirkland Premier Dentistry
There were fewer solutions to such problems in the past. But, thanks to modern dentistry, there are now umpteen restorative dentistry options that can help fix teeth & make them look their best.
These options not only aim at improving the aesthetics of your face and eliminating any kind of pain, but they also take care of eating problems.
Let’s discuss some of the procedures of restorative dentistry offered at Kirkland Premier Dentistry.
Broken Tooth Extraction and Dental Implant at Kirkland
The tooth in which the crack extends below the gum line will need to be extracted. After the extraction, an extensive procedure is used to restore the broken tooth by fixing an implant.
Also Read: Difference Between Routine & Deep Dental Cleaning
Dental Bonding or Filling at Kirkland
If only a small piece of enamel has chipped off, a dentist can repair the damage with a dental filling.
Fillings are among the safest dental procedures that dentists use to fix broken teeth temporarily using restorative material.
The dental process is useful if your tooth has suffered cavities. It is painless & cost-effective. Fillings help close the hole and restore the function of the tooth.
If the front tooth is chipped and visible when smiling, the dentist at Kirkland premier dentistry will likely use a bonding technique.
Reshaping the Tooth at Kirkland
A small chip can be corrected by reshaping the tooth or by smoothing & polishing the affected area.
Dental Veneers at Kirkland
Dental veneers may be recommended in cases where the chipped tooth is small and only causes cosmetic damage.
Dental veneers are custom-made colored shells using porcelain or composite resin material that completely cover a natural tooth.
This dental process largely addresses dental and cosmetic issues.
Root Canal and Dental Crown at Kirkland
Broken and cracked teeth can sometimes lead to developing infectious pulp in the void space of the tooth.
A root canal is then suggested to treat the broken teeth. The infection is removed first and then a crown or a “cap” that fits over the damaged tooth’s remainder.
Generally, crowns are made of metal, porcelain, and ceramic.
Tooth Splint at Kirkland
A possible solution for a cracked tooth when there is damage to the surrounding bones and gums, is a tooth splint that bonds a damaged tooth to an adjoining healthy tooth.
This method enables the bones and gums around the teeth to recover from trauma
It is considered to be the safest option to fix or restore decayed or broken teeth.
Dental Sealants at Kirkland
Dental sealants are ideal for fixing tooth holes & protecting infected and cracked teeth. They also act as a barrier against cavity-causing bacteria that damage your teeth.
Overview
A cracked, broken or chipped tooth can be a dental emergency where it is important to contact a dentist as early as possible.
Patients should consult their dentist upon discovering a damaged tooth and inquire into the suitable option for dental treatment.
At Kirkland Premier Dentistry, we have been for many years, successfully using ‘Restorative Dentistry Techniques’ to rebuild not only teeth but also confident smiles. Book an appointment now.
