Broken Tooth Reconstruction – Effective Treatment at Oak Korner Dental

Author : ArcPro Support
Date : August 22, 2023
Category : Restorative Dentistry

Broken Tooth Reconstruction – Effective Treatment at Oak Korner Dental

A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth is a serious dental concern that will need immediate attention. Even if your damaged tooth isn’t causing any pain, it will develop complications in the future. The good news is that tooth reconstruction treatment is an option for your broken, chipped, or cracked tooth. Effective treatment from Dr. Erwan Jerger can give you a memorable smile that’s both healthy and aesthetically pleasing.

Learn about the types of damage that lead to tooth reconstruction and book your consultation at Oak Korner Dental for reliable treatment options.

What Causes Tooth Damage?

You might be surprised to learn that tooth enamel is the strongest tissue in your body. Enamel protects the soft layers of teeth, ensuring that they are healthy and free of infection and disease. While tooth enamel is strong, even stronger than your bones, there are still things that can cause a cracked tooth, broken tooth, or chipped tooth.

Chewing on hard foods can damage a tooth. Hard candy, ice, and nuts are all known to cause damage that requires tooth repair.
Biting on something unexpectedly can cause damage, especially if you expect to be biting down on something soft. Examples include olive pits and other stones in fruit.
Trauma can also cause tooth damage. Sports injuries are a leading cause of damage that requires tooth reconstruction.
If you have an undiagnosed cavity, this can weaken the structure of a tooth, increasing the risk of a cracked, broken, or chipped tooth.
Erosion of your tooth enamel over time means there’s an increased risk of tooth damage as you age.
If you have tooth fillings that fall out or no longer fit properly, you’ll be more likely to experience damage that requires tooth repair.

The specific treatment will depend on the severity of the damage. Tooth reconstruction is performed by Dr. Erwan Jerger to save a tooth rather than replace it. We can now explore the different types of tooth damage and some of the most common treatments performed by Dr. Jerger and his team.

Chipped Tooth – A Minor Dental Concern that can Become Serious

A chipped tooth is often superficial, meaning that the damage won’t cause any functional issues. You could even chip a tooth without experiencing any pain.

A chipped tooth is a tooth that has a small piece of material broken off the edge, but most of the tooth will remain intact. It’s important not to ignore a chipped tooth, even if you only consider it to be a cosmetic issue. Chips weaken the tooth and cavities will be more likely to form, which can lead to damage in the pulp and nerve. A severely chipped tooth may cause immediate pain, indicating that the softer layers of the tooth are already exposed.

The most common way to repair a chipped tooth is to fill the defect and polish it, creating the appearance of a healthy and natural tooth. Modern composite materials can be shade-matched to your natural tooth enamel, so you won’t have to worry about the tooth repair being visible.

Cracked Tooth – A Moderate to Severe form of Tooth Damage

A cracked tooth usually begins from the area close to the gums, before expanding outwards to the surface of the tooth. Cracked teeth can range from moderate to severe. One thing to be aware of is that without treatment, a crack can compromise the entire tooth, which could then require extensive tooth reconstruction or replacement with a dental implant or bridge.

A cracked tooth is almost always painful because the soft layers are typically exposed. Repair for a moderate case could include using specialist dental resin to seal the crack and prevent further damage. In more severe cases, splints are used to begin the healing process. If a crack has caused an infection, a root canal procedure may be necessary as part of the tooth reconstruction process.

Broken Tooth – The Most Severe Form of Damage Requiring Immediate Tooth Repair

A broken tooth is more severe than a cracked or chipped tooth. When a tooth is broken, it means that a significant portion of the tooth has fractured and broken away. This can be caused by underlying decay, trauma, or a crack that hasn’t been treated.

The approach to broken tooth repair depends on the unique case. An overlay (a type of large filling) can be used to seal the tooth and restore its structure and shape. In severe cases, a dental crown may be necessary.

Sometimes it isn’t possible to save a broken tooth. In this case, you will have options. The broken tooth could be extracted and then replaced by a dental bridge supported by adjacent healthy teeth. You could also consider a dental implant to replace the tooth. All suitable tooth repair treatment options will be explored during your consultation with Dr. Jerger at Oak Korner Dental.

Have a Concern or Dental Emergency? Book Today at Oak Korner Dental

Whether you have a chipped tooth or a dental emergency with a cracked or broken tooth, you can get reliable treatment at Oak Korner Dental. Dr. Erwan Jerger has almost two decades of experience and will provide compassionate and professional care for effective tooth reconstruction. Book your appointment today and restore your smile to optimal health.