Our Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry dentist can evaluate and treat chipped, cracked, worn, or damaged teeth. Broken teeth can indicate an underlying bite problem or malocclusion. If left unaddressed, tooth damage can continue, possibly leading to tooth loss over time. Treating worn and broken teeth in our Chapel Hill, NC, office helps improve the function of your teeth and gums.
Dr. James Furgurson is experienced in diagnosing complex dental concerns and TMJ-related disorders. He treats patients in his Chapel Hill dental office using comfortable and comprehensive dental solutions. Dr. Furgurson can identify the root cause of your worn or damaged teeth. Then, he can make appropriate treatment recommendations to restore your long-term dental health with lasting results.
What Causes Worn and Broken Teeth?
There are many common reasons why you can sustain tooth damage:
- Hits to the mouth
- Breaking a tooth on a hard object or hard foods
- Enamel erosion
- Tooth infection that creates holes in the teeth
- Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
Tooth damage from trauma and should be repaired as soon as possible. Dr. Furgurson can fix damaged teeth quickly with dental fillings, tooth bonding, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns. These treatments help avoid further, more complex damage or tooth loss.
If you have a tooth or teeth that break repeatedly, even after treatment from a dentist, you might have an underlying bite problem. Dr. Furgurson will first identify the cause of your dental concern. Then, he can create a personalized treatment plan to restore your teeth to optimal health. He can also help prevent future damage with regular treatment.
Treatment For Worn and Broken Teeth in Chapel Hill, NC
The first step in solving worn or broken teeth is a comprehensive evaluation of the teeth, gums, and jaw joints. Identifying the underlying cause of the problem is critical to ensure long-lasting results. Your treatment may include one or several procedures to establish a healthy, stable bite and repair cosmetic problems:
Dental Crowns
Tooth crowns cover damaged teeth like a cap and protect them from further wear and damage. Crowns can be made from reflective ceramic or porcelain for a natural-looking result.
Dental crowns can also hold fractured teeth together and add structure to worn teeth. With crowns, we can ensure an even bite for patients with tooth damage.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells that can cover the front and sides of teeth. They are great for patients with chips or wear on the front of their tooth enamel. Veneers are also beneficial if you have a discolored and damaged tooth. We color-match veneers to ensure they match all teeth in your smile zone. Veneers can cover one or more teeth that show when you smile.
Because we craft our veneers from porcelain ceramic, they blend seamlessly with the rest of your natural smile. Veneers require tooth preparation, which means we will remove part of the enamel. Because of tooth preparation, veneers are permanent.
Dental Fillings
Tooth fillings are made of a composite resin that can fill the interior or crown of a tooth. Patients with cavities or deep tooth wear on their teeth benefit from this treatment.
We recommend white fillings over traditional metal fillings because they look like natural teeth. Our office can color-match the material. White fillings are also a mercury-free alternative to metal fillings.
Dental Bonding
Teeth bonding is a cosmetic treatment in our Durham, NC office that uses a tooth-colored resin on the affected tooth. During bonding treatment, we apply the resin to the chip, crack, or other type of injury on the tooth. We cure and harden this resin to restore the tooth structure.
We often recommend teeth bonding treatment if patients have chips or cracks in their enamel. Bonding can help rebuild your enamel without reducing your teeth.
Tooth Extraction
If your tooth breaks in half or a break goes below the gum line, we may recommend a tooth extraction. We will also recommend removing a tooth if harmful bacteria reach inside a crack or chip in the tooth.
In the case of severe tooth damage, we will remove the tooth and provide the right replacement. Our office provides dental implants to secure crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Worn and Broken Teeth FAQs
Learn more about worn and broken teeth in Chapel Hill, NC, with answers to these commonly asked questions:
Can worn teeth heal?
Worn teeth can not “heal” independently because tooth enamel does not grow back. Only a dentist can restore your worn teeth. Sometimes, tooth wear is not instantly noticeable, so visiting the dentist regularly for a dental exam is essential.
What happens if a broken tooth goes untreated?
Treat cracks and breaks in your teeth as soon as possible. Once your tooth has broken, it becomes drastically weaker, and exposed areas become sensitive. Your broken tooth will be much more prone to infection. It may cause pain, and you may lose the tooth if left untreated for an extended period.
Why are my teeth breaking into pieces?
The most common cause of tooth breakage is cavities. Cavities weaken teeth and make cracks and breaks much more likely. A misaligned bite may also cause teeth to break and wear down faster. “Bad bites” can encourage you to clench or grind your teeth, which can damage teeth.
Enamel erosion from acidic foods and drinks, acid reflux, or GERD, can weaken your teeth. As a result, your teeth are more prone to breaking.
How can broken teeth get infected?
Broken teeth can get infected when bacteria enter the tooth through the crack or break. When a tooth is broken, it creates a gap or opening where bacteria from your mouth can enter. This is especially true if the break exposes the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp. Even small cracks can trap food particles and plaque. If not cleaned properly, this can lead to bacteria growing in the area.
How do I know if TMJ causes tooth wear?
If you think TMJ disorder might be causing tooth wear, there are a few signs to look for:
- Jaw Pain or Discomfort
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- Headaches
- Clicking or Popping Sounds
- Changes in Bite
- Visible Wear on Teeth
How does diet affect tooth wear?
Diet plays a big role in the health of your teeth and can affect how much they wear down over time. Foods and drinks that are high in sugar, like candy, soda, and desserts, can lead to tooth decay. When sugar is left on your teeth, it can create acids that eat away at the tooth enamel. Over time, this can cause the teeth to wear down and weaken.
Some foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons), soda, and vinegar, are acidic. These acids can wear away the enamel on your teeth, making them more susceptible to damage. Drinking too many acidic beverages can lead to erosion of the tooth surface.
Eating hard foods, like ice, hard candies, or certain nuts, can lead to chips or cracks in your teeth. Biting down too hard on these foods can put stress on your teeth, causing them to wear down or break.
Also, a diet low in essential nutrients can affect your oral health. For example, calcium and vitamin D are essential for strong teeth. Not getting enough of these nutrients can weaken enamel and make your teeth more vulnerable to wear.
Do I need a filling or crown for a broken tooth?
Whether you need a filling or a crown for a broken tooth depends on the severity of the break. If the break is small and only affects the outer part of the tooth, a filling might be enough. However, if the break is larger or if a big part of the tooth is missing, you might need a crown. We will examine your smile to see which option is best for you.
How can I prevent my teeth from wearing down or breaking?
Preventing your teeth from wearing down or breaking is important for keeping your smile healthy. Follow these tips to help you take care of your teeth:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
- Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
- Avoid Hard Foods
- Wear a Sports Mouthguard
- Limit Acidic Foods and Drinks
- Visit the Dentist Regularly
- Do Not Use Teeth as Tools
- Avoid Biting or Chewing Ice
Treat Broken Teeth
Restoring your smile supports your long-term oral health and boosts your confidence with improved aesthetics. If you have worn, chipped, or damaged teeth, schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Furgurson in our Durham area dental office. Ensure you get treatment for damaged teeth as soon as possible. Early treatment can prevent further oral health problems.
Are you a new patient? Call Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at 919.205.9308. Returning patients may call 919.251.9313. Let our dentists know if you have any questions about our treatment options. We will be happy to help.