A fractured, chipped, or broken tooth occurs when patients have a crack in the tooth. Some cracks may appear small, but others may cause a break or split within the tooth structure. Most people can suffer a tooth break, but the most common demographics include children and older adults. To fix the tooth, some patients may receive a filling.
When patients break or chip their teeth, they generally want a solution as quickly as possible. Fortunately, there are various ways to fix broken teeth. One of the most common ways is through the use of fillings.
Teeth can become fractured in various ways. Even patients who put forth a maximum effort to keep their teeth healthy may struggle with fractures and chips because of blunt force. Chips may occur due to car accidents or sporting events but also during mealtime. Hard foods and other objects easily chip the teeth.
Chipped teeth may bother a patient for cosmetic reasons, or the patient may acquire complications due to the crack. One consequence of chipped teeth is lacerations to the tongue. A broken tooth can leave an area sharp or jagged and may cut the tongue or inside of a patient's cheek.
Additionally, chips may expose nerves. Patients may find themselves sensitive to pressure and sensitivity. Drinking cold or hot beverages, for example, may cause shooting pain from root to tooth. When chips are serious, they can expose the tooth's inner structure and leave the teeth open to cavities, infections, and abscesses.
When patients do not seek dental help for a chipped tooth, it can cause the break to worsen. Chips and fractures weaken the structure of the tooth and can cause a severe break. Simple chewing can escalate the break into something more challenging to fix.
When it comes to broken teeth, most patients opt for composite fillings because they are not visible. Traditional amalgam fillings are metal and tend to be less suited for fixing cracked or chipped teeth. Composite fillings use a strong material that dentists can stain to match the patient's teeth. Before hardening the filling, the dentist can mold the filling to fit into cracks or replace chips.
Before placing the filling, dentists perform exams on the teeth to check for further damage. When applying the material, dentists match the shape of the tooth. After applying the material and ensuring it matches the tooth, the dentist uses a special light to harden the filling. Most composite fillings last for about seven years.
When patients have broken teeth, they should receive dental care as soon as possible to avoid any complications. Severe breaks, infections, and abscesses can occur when left untreated. Often, dentists can use fillings to help repair the broken tooth. When choosing fillings, most patients opt for composite to match the shape and color of their natural teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.michianafamilydental.com or call Michiana Family Dental at (574) 349-2073 for an appointment in our South Bend office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Broken Tooth in South Bend, IN.
A missing tooth can create difficulties with eating, speaking, and smiling. Fortunately, with the help of a dental implants, a missing tooth can be easily replaced.Dental implants are small, titanium, screw-shaped prosthetics that take the place of teeth roots. It is important to distinguish that a dental implant itself does not actually replace the missing…
An article by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare states that more than 18 million people wear partial dentures. Anyone who has been considering getting partials to improve their speech, ability to chew, and even their appearance is not alone. It helps to have the proper information beforehand, though. Partials are created from a wide variety of materials, each…
Denture adjustment is a necessary procedure that must be performed if your dentures no longer fit your mouth. Whether you have partial or complete dentures, these prompt your gums and soft tissues to adjust. Once the dentures have settled, they will also be likely to change over time. You may experience difficulty chewing or feel…
Using custom-fit plastic trays, Invisalign® treatments are a restorative and corrective treatment for several dental problems. As an orthodontic solution, clear aligners are often compared to a treatment using metal braces. Corrective measures typically address crooked or misaligned teeth, and provided the patient wears the trays for the prescribed length of time, the results are…
A missing tooth can create difficulties with eating, speaking, and smiling. Fortunately, with the help of a dental implants, a missing tooth can be easily replaced.Dental implants are small, titanium, screw-shaped prosthetics that take the place of teeth roots. It is important to distinguish that a dental implant itself does not actually replace the missing…
An article by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare states that more than 18 million people wear partial dentures. Anyone who has been considering getting partials to improve their speech, ability to chew, and even their appearance is not alone. It helps to have the proper information beforehand, though. Partials are created from a wide variety of materials, each…