A general dentist will be the first to tell you that a broken tooth will not grow back like a fingernail or a broken bone. The only way to restore the former appearance of the tooth is with a dental restoration or tooth contouring.
Whichever option the dentist recommends, the broken tooth will require a session in the dentist’s chair. While a dentist is always happy to help their patients, they prefer that you go through life with all your original teeth. This is why a general dentist will always advise you to take proactive steps to protect your teeth from breakage.
A broken tooth can happen as a result of trauma to the mouth. It can also happen when the owner of the tooth subjects said tooth to continuous stress. This can happen in scenarios where a patient develops a habit of chewing on hard foods or objects. People who grind their teeth also apply constant pressure and shearing forces to their teeth. They too are at risk of suffering a broken tooth.
There is no one size fits all solution for a broken tooth. A dentist will recommend a course of treatment depending on the nature and extent of the break. Here are some of the ways a dentist restores broken teeth:
If the broken tooth needs a restoration that reinforces its outer structure, a general dentist will choose an indirect filling or a dental crown. Both types of dental restoration protect inner and outer teeth from further damage as well as infection.
The previous section covered the possible causes of injury to the tooth. Based on this information, it is easy to identify a few preventative measures. Measures like:
Many a broken tooth has happened during a hockey game or in the boxing ring. People who participate in contact sports like martial arts, football and hockey should always wear the appropriate safety gear. This includes a well-fitting mouthguard. An athlete should go the extra mile and get a mouth guard that is tailor-made to their mouth.
Teeth grinding is an unconscious habit that has its origins in a bad bite, stress or some other underlying issue. To protect the teeth from constant stress, a dentist may recommend a nightguard to keep the upper and lower teeth from coming into contact.
A night guard or retainer only treats the symptom and not the cause. The patient may still need orthodontic treatment for a malocclusion, or stress reduction techniques for stress-induced jaw clenching.
The stronger the enamel, the less likely it is to break. So eat a diet that is rich in calcium, phosphorus and other minerals that are good for the skeletal structure. Avoid flooding the mouth with acid, sugar, cigarettes and alcohol. Most importantly, be fastidious about oral hygiene.
Accidents are by their nature unexpected. When a broken tooth has you in a bind, get in touch with us. Your tooth will be back in working order in no time.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.
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