If you have a broken tooth, contact your dentist in Fort Collins, CO, as soon as possible! We can often restore your tooth using restorations like dental crowns and bonding.
Teeth are strong, but they endure a lot of chewing over the years, and misaligned teeth, injury, or untreated cavities can mean cracks or breakage.
Your dentist in Fort Collins, CO, can repair many cracks and fractures, but it’s vital to make an appointment as soon as you notice the issue. Without treatment, a break can worsen and mean the loss of the tooth.
Your Teeth in Layers
Consider your teeth in layers:
- Enamel—The visible layer you brush and floss
- Dentin—The hard layer beneath the enamel, sensitive to hot and cold when the enamel is breached
- Pulp—The inner workings that house the nerves and pulp
When you fracture a tooth, it may become sensitive to hot and cold. If the fracture continues to the pulp, you may develop an infection that requires root canal therapy.
Prompt treatment is the best course.
4 Types of Tooth Breaks and Fractures
#1 Split Tooth
If you split your tooth to the gumline, your dentist may be able to save a portion of the tooth through restorative dentistry, like a dental crown in Fort Collins, CO.
#2 Cusp Breaks
Typically, these types of breaks occur around restorations like dental fillings. Your dentist can often repair the tooth by replacing the restoration.
#3 Vertical Fractures
These fractures, which may result from injury, start below the gumline. Sometimes your dentist must extract the tooth and replace it.
#4 Below the Gumline
In most cases, this type of fracture needs extraction followed by tooth replacement.
Fixing Cracks and Broken Teeth
Your dentist examines the crack or break and determines the best option for restoration. In many cases, we can present options and explain the pros and cons of each.
Restorations and fixes may include:
- Dental Crown—Dental crowns are one of the most common restorations. The custom crown fits over the damaged tooth to the gumline, restoring bite force and providing protection to the tooth.
- Dental Bonding—Bonding is ideal for small cosmetic cracks that do not threaten the integrity of the tooth’s structure.
- Tooth Extraction—If your tooth cannot be saved, replacing it with a restoring tooth like a dental implant or bridge is crucial.
Contact Your Dentist in Fort Collins, CO
If you have a cracked or broken tooth, don’t wait! Reach out to a team member today to arrange a consultation with the dentist., and remember to check out our current dental specials.