A broken tooth is not just an aesthetic concern; it can cause many other complications. Fortunately, broken, chipped, or cracked teeth can be restored in most cases. At Camden Family Dental, we make every effort to preserve damaged teeth using minimally-invasive dentistry.
What Causes Broken?
There are many reasons for teeth to get cracked. Some of these are:
1) Dental Trauma :
An accidental injury to the teeth is one of the most common causes of broken or fractured teeth. That is why dentists recommend wearing protective gear, such as mouthguards, during contact sports.
2) Biting on Hard Objects :
Biting on hard objects like ice cubes can also lead to broken or fractured teeth. Similarly, using our teeth as tools or can openers can also damage them.
3) Age-related :
Teeth become brittle and prone to fracture and cracks with age. That is why teeth cracks and chippings are very common in the elderly.
4) Large Fillings :
Teeth can also crack or break under pressure if they have very large fillings and have not to be reinforced with dental crowns.
What are the Complications of Broken Teeth if not Restored?
At Camden Family Dental, we ask our patients to get their teeth immediately restored if they get cracked. Cracked teeth, if not restored timely, can cause the following complications.
1) Toothache :
If the tooth is fractured or chipped in such a way that the underlying pulp is exposed, it can cause transient or permanent tooth sensitivity.
2) Tooth Decay :
Broken teeth become weaker and are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay.
3) Pulp Inflammation :
If the dental pulp is exposed and the tooth is not restored timely, it can lead to the pulp’s inflammation requiring root canal treatment.
How are Broken Teeth Restored?
There are two aspects of restoring broken teeth. The first is to replace the damaged tooth structure, and the second is to restore its aesthetics. We use tooth-colored composite fillings to restore the teeth for minor teeth defects. However, for moderate to large tooth defects, we first replace the lost tooth structure with composite filings and then reinforce it with porcelain crowns. Furthermore, if the dental pulp has become inflamed due to long-term exposure, we will perform a root canal treatment before restoring the tooth.
Broken teeth can be fully restored if they are treated timely. So, if you or a loved one has a damaged tooth, visit us today and let us fix it to restore your smile and dental function.