Premature tooth wear, broken fillings, and chipped teeth can all be signs of an underlying functional dental problem. New Orleans dentists Dr. Maria Burmaster and Dr. Valerie Hemphill are highly experienced in diagnosing and solving dental problems to prevent future damage to teeth.
In some instances, a single chipped or broken tooth is caused by an injury or accident. Our dentists can fix this type of problem quickly with treatment options such as tooth fillings, composite veneers, or dental crowns. Other patients may be suffering from teeth that repeatedly break, even after treatment from a dentist. These patients often have an underlying functional problem such as malocclusion or TMJ disorder. Teeth grinding may also be a cause of worn or broken teeth.
Treatment For Worn and Broken Teeth
The first step when solving the problem of worn or broken teeth is a comprehensive evaluation. It is critical to identify the underlying cause of the problem to ensure long-lasting results. Your treatment may include one or several procedures to establish a healthy, stable bite and repair cosmetic problems.
- Invisalign®: Crooked or misaligned teeth can sometimes be the source of premature tooth wear and/or broken teeth. Barataria Dental is a New Orleans Invisalign® dentist, that offers the ability to straighten teeth without traditional metal braces.
- Ceramic Restorations: Ceramic restorations such as dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental fillings can become damaged when the teeth are not properly aligned. Our dentists, Dr. Burmaster and Dr. Hemphill, can repair broken fillings and crowns as well as restore worn or broken teeth with new ceramic restorations.
- Tooth Bonding: For minor tooth chips, the dentist may recommend cosmetic tooth bonding. This is a simple procedure, typically completed in a single dental visit.
Worn and Broken Teeth FAQs
What happens when your teeth wear down?
When teeth wear down, it means the outside protective enamel layer is thinning, exposing the dentin layer underneath. It’s softer and has little tubes that provide access to the nerves and cells in the interior of your tooth. Teeth worn down to this layer are more sensitive and cause pain when you’re consuming foods and beverages. Because that hardened enamel layer is gone, they’re also weaker and more susceptible to tooth decay.
Do I have to treat a broken tooth?
Unless it’s a very tiny cosmetic chip, we recommend you obtain treatment as soon as possible. As with many medical problems, if you leave them go, they can get worse. Don’t wait for more than two weeks to schedule an appointment. Breaks can expose dental nerves and cause sensitivity when you eat and drink. The sharp edges of a broken tooth can also endanger the soft tissues in your mouth.
What should I avoid with a broken tooth?
When you break a tooth, you should try to avoid any contact with the broken tooth. Avoid chewing and biting down on food with your broken tooth or that area. Avoid hard foods altogether and drink beverages that are warm, instead of extremely hot or cold. You can still brush and floss your teeth, but be sure to do so extremely carefully.
Does my broken tooth need to be pulled?
Not all broken teeth need to be extracted, even in severe cases. At our office, we take the most conservative approach possible to try and save your natural tooth structure. We’ll attempt to save the tooth with a dental crown if possible. However, if your tooth has a large crack or breaks off at the gumline, it will probably need an extraction.
What are the signs of tooth wear?
You can tell by looking at your teeth that they’re wearing down. You may notice grooves, shorter teeth, uneven or mismatched sizes of teeth in your smile, or the flattening of certain teeth. Many times you’ll experience pain and sensitivity too, because the dentin layer is exposed.
Why are my teeth wearing down?
Throughout our lives, our teeth naturally wear down. We use them every day and it’s natural for things to wear away over time. But other things can make your teeth wear down a bit faster. If your bite doesn’t come together properly, certain teeth are going to wear down faster than other. More extreme tooth wear happens if you have a habit of grinding and clenching your teeth overnight. If you notice abnormal tooth wear, contact our office.
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Our dentist office provides dental care to children and adult patients in the Marrero, LA area. We welcome new patients from all over the greater New Orleans, LA area to experience our comprehensive and compassionate dentistry. If you are experiencing a specific dental concern, or are looking for a new family dentist, contact our dentist office today at 504.358.8632 or request a consultation using our convenient online form.