digital illustration of a young man with a broken toothAny time you experience dental trauma, it is scary, particularly if you have a fractured tooth because of it. This kind of dental injury not only affects your appearance, but also your overall oral health. At or practice, our experienced and knowledgeable doctors can repair dental damage to alleviate your discomfort and keep your smile looking great. If you have a broken tooth in Lone Tree or Denver, look no further than Metropolitan Dental Care.

Why Do Teeth Fracture?

There are a variety of reasons why your tooth may fracture. For example, maybe you were walking down the sidewalk, and tripped and fell into the concrete. Perhaps you were in a car accident and hit your mouth on the steering wheel. Maybe you play contact sports, and you were out on the court or field without a mouth guard.

It’s not always blunt trauma that leads to a broken tooth. Untreated cavities can become worse and affect the internal structure of the tooth. When this occurs, the tooth weakens and becomes more susceptible to breakage. In these cases, chewing candy, ice, and other hard foods can lead to a fracture.

Types of Broken Teeth

Broken teeth vary dramatically in terms of severity. Here are a few types of broken teeth that occur:

  • Craze lines: Almost everyone develops small cracks in the surfaces of the enamel. Craze lines are normal, and do not require treatment unless there is a cosmetic concern.
  • Fractured cusp: The bumps on the chewing surfaces of the teeth are referred to as cusps. Occasionally, these may break off. Typically, a fractured cusp is not painful. However, if it affects the way your teeth fit together, it may require a bite adjustment.
  • Broken tooth: Usually, a cracked or broken tooth will begin near the chewing surface and extend downward. If detected early enough, these fractures can be successfully treated through restorative procedures.
  • Split tooth: If a broken tooth remains untreated, it often results in a split tooth. This is indicated by distinct sections of the tooth that can be easily separated. Split teeth must usually be removed.
  • Vertical root fracture: This type of fracture begins in the root of a tooth and moves upwards toward the chewing surface. Oftentimes, a vertical root fracture does not cause any pain or tenderness, and usually becomes apparent when the gums around the tooth become inflamed.

Treatments for a Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are savable in many circumstances. The treatment recommended will depend on your unique situation. Here are some of the ways we can repair a broken tooth:

  • Dental bonding: If your fracture is mild or superficial, it can often be repaired with dental bonding. During this procedure, a composite resin material is added to the tooth. Next, it will be shaped, hardened, and polished to match your surrounding teeth.
  • Porcelain veneers: Moderate fractures may be better treated with veneers, which are ultra-thin restorations for the front surface of a tooth. Porcelain veneers can conceal a variety of cosmetic imperfections and are color-matched to blend in with your smile.
  • Dental crowns: Similar to veneers, crowns are custom restorations. However, they cover the entire tooth structure rather than just the front surface. Dental crowns can strengthen your tooth and make it more resilient to damage.
  • Root canal therapy: If your broken tooth has resulted in an infection in the pulp of the tooth, root canal therapy will be necessary to correct the problem. During this procedure, the infected tissues and nerves inside the tooth are removed and replaced with a flexible dental material called gutta percha. The tooth is then restored with a dental filling or a crown.
  • Extraction and dental implant: Sometimes a fracture is too severe to save the tooth. In these cases, we recommend removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. Dental implants replace the actual tooth root. Therefore, they stimulate the jawbone to prevent bone atrophy.

Find Out How to Repair Your Broken Tooth in Lone Tree

Our doctors at Metropolitan Dental Care can determine the severity of your broken tooth and recommend treatment options. To schedule a consultation with a Lone Tree dentist, contact us online or call us at (303) 534-2626.