If you experience a cracked or broken tooth, you know that the situation can be both uncomfortable as well as unsightly. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions for chipped and cracked teeth, and the dentists at Keen Dental Care can assist you in finding the best treatment option. This clinic has established a reputation for excellence among patients in Columbia, MO, and as a result, many people look to them for guidance when it comes to common dental issues.

A Dentist’s Guide to Chipped Teeth

Causes of Chipped Teeth

There are a number of ways teeth can become chipped. While teeth are typically rather resilient to damage, being struck in the face by a hard object, such as a baseball, can easily break teeth. You can also fracture your teeth as a result of a fall, or even by biting down on something hard. This is more likely to occur if your teeth have been previously weakened by cavities, which illustrates the importance of good dental care.

Types of Treatments

If you suffer from a cracked or broken tooth, there are fortunately a number of remedies at your disposal. For any small cracks, dentists will typically polish the area to decrease the appearance of fine lines. When a tooth is cracked, more comprehensive treatment is usually called for. In this case, a dentist may need to perform a root canal if the nerve is affected. Crowns are another treatment option, which will prevent cracks from becoming even worse.

Crowns and root canals are also used when a tooth is split. However, in severe cases a tooth extraction might need to be performed. In general, the more severe a break, the less likely it is that a tooth will be preserved. You can receive an implant for any missing teeth however, which is a permanent solution to tooth loss that mimics the look and feel of natural teeth.

If you need the assistance of a skilled dentist in Columbia, Keen Dental Care is poised and ready to help. Schedule an appointment today by calling (573) 875-5336. You can also visit them online for helpful patient information to help you prepare for your visit.