Broken Tooth | Gentle Dental | Wellington Dentist

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January 12, 2022 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Broken Teeth: 5 Ways A Dentist Can Fix Your Smile

Experiencing a broken or chipped tooth can feel like a nightmare. Not only can it be painful, but there’s also the worry that you may have ruined your smile for good.

Don’t worry. No matter how bad your tooth looks, it’s likely there are a few options your dentist can take to restore or replace your tooth and have you smiling again.

The most important thing after breaking or cracking your teeth is to get it seen by a dentist.

What happens if you leave a cracked tooth untreated?

It may sound weird to leave a broken tooth untreated, but a broken or fractured tooth doesn’t always hurt. If the break doesn’t affect the pulp of your tooth, there’s a chance your broken tooth might not cause you any pain. However, over time a cracked or broken tooth is at risk of causing pain, sensitivity, tooth decay, infection and may ultimately lead to tooth loss.

A damaged tooth may die within a few days or even after a few months. The sooner you see a dentist about repairing the tooth, the higher the chance it can be repaired.

A cracked, fractured, chipped or broken tooth should always be treated as an emergency. Here are five ways a dentist can fix your broken tooth:

Recontouring

For a small chip, a dentist may be able to recontour the shape of your tooth to make it look better and ensure there are no sharp edges to your tooth. Recontouring involves the dentist shaving and smoothing the edges of your tooth so that it is smooth and looks more like the rest of your teeth.

This is only recommended for very small chips or cracks and is a cosmetic dentistry solution to change the shape, or surface of your teeth. Recontouring can also be done for purely aesthetic reasons regardless of whether you have a broken tooth.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a good option for broken teeth, especially if there has been no damage to the pulp or your tooth isn’t decayed. During the dental bonding procedure the dentist uses a bond made of composite resin to repair the chip. The composite colour is similar to the colour of your tooth and the end result is often unnoticeable.

Dental bonding can help restore the look of your smile and make chewing and eating feel normal again after breaking your tooth. Dental bonding is not an option for teeth that have a lot of damage. You may instead opt for a crown or a root canal.

Dental Crowns

If your tooth is too damaged for dental bonding, a dental crown might be the best option. A crown helps prevent the remaining tooth from further decaying while restoring the look and function of the tooth. Dental crowns are like caps which help to protect the tooth.

Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain, resin, or ceramics and don’t require any special care over time.

During the dental crown procedure, your tooth will be reshaped into a small mound so that the dental crown can fit over top, like a hat. It is then cemented into place over your tooth. This will prevent your tooth from further damage. Onlays and ¾ crowns are smaller than regular dental crowns and cover less of your tooth.

Root Canals

For badly damaged teeth, where the pulp, nerve endings or roots are exposed, a root canal may be the best option. When your tooth has a deep crack in it or the pulp is, bacteria can easily cause an infection.

In this case, a dentist will perform a root canal and remove the damaged parts of the tooth. They will then disinfect the area to clean and prevent bacteria from causing an infection. After the root canal you may have a crown installed or a dental implant. Dental implants are a good option if there isn’t enough of your old tooth to fit a crown over.

Dental Implants

If your tooth is severely damaged it may need to be removed during a root canal or pulled out altogether. In this case, a dental implant may be installed surgically by placing a titanium receptor into the jawbone. Once the implant has healed a crown is fitted to the top so that your tooth now looks and feels like a regular tooth.

While this procedure takes a few months from tooth removal to the insertion of the receptor and the fitting of the crown, your dental implant should last you for a lifetime.

What to do if you have a broken tooth

If you have experienced a broken tooth or suspect you may have a tooth fracture, the most important thing you can do is to see a dentist immediately. At Gentle Dental, we have same day appointments to ensure that we can see you as soon as possible.

Our dentists will take a look at your tooth and provide the best course of action to repair the look of your smile. Book an appointment here or contact us for a same-day appointment.

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December 14, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

What is the Procedure for a Broken Tooth?

Left untreated dental trauma, such as a broken tooth, can result in further problems such as infection. A broken tooth can be painful and result in a loss of confidence. If you experience a broken tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible. Fortunately, if treated as soon as possible there are many things your dentist can do to save the health and look of your tooth.

What are common causes of a broken tooth?

Teeth are generally quite strong, however a broken tooth can be the result of a facial injury, biting down on something hard – like ice or hard lollies – and can be emphasized if the tooth already has some decay.

Grinding your teeth, biting down on hard foods, uneven chewing, exposure to hot then cold temperatures and brittle teeth can lead to a broken tooth. Even healthy teeth can break. What’s important is that you see your dentist as soon as possible after you notice your broken tooth.

How do I identify a broken tooth?

If you have experienced a facial injury – like a knock to the mouth – it might be obvious that your tooth is broken. However, it is possible to crack a tooth and not realise. Here are some warning signs that you may have cracked a tooth:

Tooth pain when biting or chewing
Overall tooth pain is inconsistent and comes and goes
Sensitivity to sweet foods hot or cold temperatures
Infection around your tooth or the gum of a tooth
Tooth pain but there are no obvious signs of decay
Hearing a crack after eating hard foods

How to care for a broken tooth?

If your tooth is cracked, or you suspect it is cracked, you should book an emergency dental appointment as soon as you can. At Gentle Dental, we have same-day appointments available for patients, so you don’t have to wait to get your teeth sorted.

Leaving a broken tooth for too long could result in infection, further damage or even the loss of your tooth. While you wait for your appointment, here are some things you can do that may help:

Take pain relief: Over the counter pain relief should help with the pain.

Rinse your mouth with salt water: Swirl your mouth with salt water to help keep it clean.

Avoid biting down on the tooth: Don’t eat if you can help it. Eat soft foods if you must eat before your appointment.

What is the treatment for broken teeth?

The treatment for a broken tooth depends on how your tooth is broken.

Bonding A Chipped Tooth

If your tooth is chipped, you may have just broken off part of the tooth enamel. A dentist may be able to repair the damage with a filing. If you have broken off a part of your front tooth, and your tooth is uneven, your dentist may choose to use a procedure called bonding.

Bonding uses tooth-coloured resin to repair the look of your tooth. The procedure does not require any anesthetic and is fairly painless. The dentist will etch the surface of the tooth so that the bonding material will stick to it. The resin is attached using an adhesive and the tooth is shaped to look natural again.

Dental Cap or Crown For a Larger Break

For more significant broken teeth, your dentist may replace part of the tooth with a dental cap or a crown. First, the dentist will file away at the remaining tooth before covering it with a crown or a tooth-shaped cap. The final result will look like a real tooth.

Crowns are made from metal, resin, ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal and each has its own benefit. Metal crowns are very strong and ceramic and porcelain crowns look very real. If your entire tooth is broken off but the root remains intact the dentist may perform a root canal to insert a pin into the canal and help build up some structure to hold the crown on top.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a good option for chipped or broken front teeth. They do a good job of hiding the broken tooth and will look just as real as the rest of your teeth. A thin shell of porcelain or resin covers the whole front of the tooth with a thicker section to cover the broken portion of the tooth.

During the procedure, the dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the surface of your tooth so that the veneer can then be applied. An impression of your tooth will be taken for the veneer to be made. Once the veneer is ready it is applied with dental cement to the surface of the tooth.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is only necessary when the tooth is broken and exposes the center of the tooth. In this case, the exposed pulp can become infected and die if it’s not removed. Root canal therapy will remove the deal pulp clean the root canal and seal it. The remaining tooth can then be covered with a crown.

What to do if your tooth is knocked out

If your tooth has been knocked out, acting quickly can help save your tooth and increase the chance that it can be replanted.

Collect the tooth or the tooth fragments that have been knocked out. Handle them carefully and rinse the tooth gently in lukewarm water if there is dirt on it. Do not rub or scrape the dirt as it may damage the tooth.
Rinse the mouth out with warm water and if possible insert the tooth into the socket and bite down on some gauze to hold the tooth in place. Teeth can be stored in whole milk if you cannot reinsert them.
Use sterile gauze or cloth to control the bleeding and apply a cool compress for the swelling. Take ibuprofen for the pain.
See a dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible and take the tooth or fragments with you.

If you have experienced a chipped or broken tooth, book an emergency appointment today at Gentle Dental. Our dentists will work to restore your tooth as best as we can.

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September 15, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Dental Implants

Dental implants look and function like regular teeth and are often recipients will have a hard time deciphering their fake tooth from their real ones. Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces the root of a tooth with a metal screw and an artificial tooth. This procedure can be performed on one or several teeth as an alternative to dentures of bridgework.

Many people feel nervous about dental implant surgery, but the reality is it’s not as invasive as it sounds. What’s important to remember is that dental implants serve a very important function as it creates solid support for your new teeth. While it may be more painful to get surgery than be fitted with a denture, the end result is a permanent tooth that doesn’t need any extra maintenance than a regular tooth.

What is involved in dental implants surgery?

The surgery will differ from person to person as it depends on the type of implant and the condition of your jawbone. Some people may require a bone graft to ensure the dental implant has a strong enough foundation to be screwed into.

After the bone graft, or if you do not require a bone graft a titanium implant is placed into the jaw bone just beneath the gums. Over the span of a few months it fuses with the bone and will act as an “artificial tooth root” for a crown to be screwed into once healing is completed.

Dental implants have gained a lot of popularity because they are so effective. The technology used in dental implant surgeries has evolved and the success rate of implants is close to 98%.

Despite this statistic, some people still have fears of getting dental implants. This may be because they’re not sure if getting implants is the correct option or they fear the discomfort or infections it may cause.

Dental implants are safe because dentists use titanium for embedding in the jawbone. In fact, titanium has a natural affinity with bone. So, over time it makes a stronger and more durable connection in your jaw as new cells tend to grow. If you are considering dental implants, we’ve created a shortlist that should put your mind at ease.

3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be Nervous About Dental Implants

The procedure is thoroughly planned 

An implant surgery is a minor surgery yet the details and thought that goes into each surgery is thorough. With a 98% success rate it’s unlikely you need to worry about getting a surgery that won’t heal properly or solve the issue of your missing tooth. In complex cases, dentists use x-ray or CT imaging to determine the location for the implant. This will guide them during the surgical procedures where they’ll use it to create channels to hold the implant.  

The surgery is performed with local anaesthesia 

The reality is that implants are easier than tooth extraction. So, if you’re comfortable with using a local anesthesia, then this procedure will not be painful. Dentists numb the implant site with local anesthesia while all the other surrounding tissues remain conscious. If you don’t approve your dentist of using anesthesia, they could include  a sedative or anti-anxiety medication before proceeding with the surgery.  

They are a permanent solution

Dental implants are a great option because they offer a permanent solution for tooth loss. They generally last longer than teeth bridges and don’t require removal, extra cleaning and storage like dentures do. Some dental implant procedures can be done in one day, however, it’s up to your dentist, whether or not they recommend more time after the initial surgery and before fitting the crown. This is to avoid strain on your healing implants. 

Find Your Dental Implants NZ Expert  

At Gentle Dental, we can walk you through the best solution for missing teeth. As experts in dental implants NZ, we have some of the best dentists in Wellington. Dental implants do represent a slightly greater investment but their longevity makes it all worth it.

The technology, expertise and gentle approach to all our dentistry services make us the most preferred dentists around here. Contact the team at the Gentle Dental Centre for an implant appointment or assessment.  

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April 15, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of a Cracked Tooth

Our teeth go through a lot. From grinding and chewing to eating sticky or hard foods, it’s no surprise that every now and then our teeth will crack or break.

What Causes a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth can happen for a variety of reasons. Teeth grinding can put pressure on teeth causing cracks to form over time. Large fillings can also weaken the integrity of the tooth and cause fractures.

More common causes of cracked teeth are biting hard foods such as toffee and other sticky hard sweets, ice, and nuts. Injuries also cause a large proportion of teeth cracks. Changes in temperature in the mouth can weaken teeth — eating extremely hot foods then cooling the mouth with ice can cause stress to teeth. Age is also a leading factor of tooth cracks. As a large percentage of our population reach old age, cracked teeth, will become more of a problem.

What Are The Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth?

Not every cracked tooth is painful, or even noticeable. Some cracks are harmless and don’t require treatment. There are many more extensive types of crack that require dental treatment. If you suffer from any of the following you could have a cracked tooth:

Swollen gums particularly around the cracked tooth
Pain when eating, especially when chewing
Mouth or tooth pain that tends to come and go
Teeth that have suddenly become sensitive to sweetness
Discomfort around the teeth and gums that is hard to pinpoint
Teeth that have suddenly become sensitive to hot or cold foods

Are There Different Types of Cracks?

Commonly, there are five different types of cracked teeth. Each one is slightly more serious than the last and require more attention.

Craze Lines: These are superficial cracks that don’t cause pain to the teeth. Craze lines appear as thin cracks in the enamel of the tooth. They are natural and don’t require treatment.

Fractured Cusp: This type of crack will usually occur around a dental filling. These fractures usually don’t occur in the middle of the tooth where the nerve centre is and don’t cause much pain. It’s still a good idea to get a fractured cusp check out by your dentist.

Cracks to the Gum Line: If your tooth has a crack in it that goes all the way down to the gum line, the crack could run beneath your gums. This tooth will probably need to be extracted as the fracture could run deep. The best chance you have of saving this tooth is to get it examined by a dentist as soon as possible.

Split tooth: This is a crack that runs from the surface of the tooth to below the gum line and splits the tooth into two parts. While your dentist might not be able to save the whole teeth, they may be able to save half of it. A split tooth needs dental attention immediately.

Vertical root fracture: A vertical fracture starts below the gum line and travels upwards. Unless the tooth is infected vertical root fractures don’t always cause pain. It’s likely that this tooth will need to be pulled out.

What to do if You Have a Cracked Tooth

If your tooth is broken or fractured, visit your dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, your tooth could be damaged further or get infected. This can increase the chances of losing your tooth and lead to other health problems.

In the meantime, try the following self-care measures:

If the tooth is painful, take an over-the-counter pain relief.
Rinse your mouth with saltwater.
Eat soft food to avoid biting down on the broken tooth.
If the break has caused a sharp edge, cover it with a piece of wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum to keep it from cutting your tongue.

Treatment for a broken tooth will depend on how critical it is damaged. If only a small piece is broken off, it’ll be repaired in one sitting. A badly damaged or broken tooth may require a more lengthy and costly procedure.

How a Broken Tooth is Diagnosed

Since not all broken teeth are painful, or even obvious, a good dentist will have to do a visual examination on your teeth. They may ask about your dental history, whether you chew on hard foods or grind your teeth to figure out the cause of the breakage.

During the examination your dentist might:

Use a magnifying lens to do a visual examination to find the crack.
Run a dental explorer over the tooth to see if it catches on any broken parts.
use a dental dye to temporarily stain your teeth and make any cracks stand out.
Probe your gums to look for inflammation, particularly to identify vertical cracks.
Get you to bit down on something to identify where the pain is located.

Treatment for a Broken or Cracked Tooth

Depending on what type of crack your tooth has, your dentist will likely recommend one of the following treatments.

Bonding: This is a simple procedure, where plastic resin is used to fill in the crack in your tooth. This restores the look and functionality of the tooth.

Crown: A porcelain or ceramic crown is fitted over the top of your tooth to protect it. This process may take a couple of weeks as the dentist may have to make a mold of your tooth, and send it away to get the crown made.

Root Canal: If a crack extends into the tooth pulp (the softer centre of the tooth where the nerves live) a root canal can remove the damaged pulp and restore the tooth.

Extraction: If the structure of the tooth is too damaged, a dentist may opt to remove the tooth completely.

How to Prevent a Cracked Tooth

Good oral hygiene is important for the health of our teeth. Avoiding hard or sticky foods is recommended as well as wearing a mouthguard during sport.

If you are concerned about cracks in your teeth, book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. At Gentle Dental, our expert team of dentists can gently examine your teeth and recommend a suitable treatment plan. Book an appointment today.

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