Restorative Dentistry

What Are The Most Common Causes of Tooth Loss?

Our Bonner Springs dental office is experienced dealing with patients seeking restorative dentistry to resolve issues with missing or broken teeth. Often, people seek out emergency dental care when they are in pain. Some of the most common reasons for emergency visits to the dental office include:

• Fractured teeth
• Broken teeth
• An abscess (infection) of the pulp (nerve) of the tooth
• A periodontal (gum) infection or inflammation
• Mobile (loose) teeth
• A badly decayed tooth
• A lost filling
• A knocked out (avulsed) tooth

How Can My Tooth Be Saved?

First, the dentist must make an accurate diagnosis, to determine the exact nature of the problem. Usually, this involves taking an X-ray, making a clinical examination and taking a thorough medical/dental history. Depending upon the diagnosis, the dentist will usually make the following recommendations to save compromised or broken teeth. Broken teeth-Full crown: in cases where broken teeth occur at the gumline, the dentist may also elect to do a reinforcing procedure to build up the tooth before placing a crown.

Dr. Hartman averages over 45 hours of continuing education every year, mostly dealing with implants, dentures and cosmetic dentistry. He’s prepared to save your broken tooth and restore your smile. With over 80 years of combined family dental care experience, you can count on our team to help you get the treatment you need for broken teeth.

Abscessed tooth-Root canal therapy

In 95 percent of cases today, an abscessed tooth can be saved with endodontic therapy, especially when diagnosed and treated early.

Periodontal (gum) infection/involvement

Often, a periodontally involved tooth can be saved, if the diagnosis is made early. Depending upon the nature and severity of the case, your dentist can initiate periodontal therapy; you may need to return to the office for serveral treatments.

Badly decayed tooth/lost fillling

A new filling. Often, a lost filling or heavily decayed tooth can be restored with a new filling. A crown may be necessary, if the amount of tooth structure is insufficient to support a filling. Your dentist can also place a sedative lining underneath the restoration to help soothe the nerve.

Knocked out tooth

Occasionally, a direct blow to the face will result in knocking out a tooth. If this occurs, you must get to a dentist quickly! If possible, soak the avulsed tooth in milk; or place it under the victim’s tongue or between the victim’s cheek and gum. (This will help preserve the vitality of the tooth.) Often, a knocked out tooth can be reimplanted, especially when professional help is obtained within 30 minutes after the accident.

What About Restoring A Child’s Tooth?

Often, parents think, “It’s only a baby tooth, why save it?” There are many reasons. First, the health and alignment of the permanent teeth are directly correlated to the health of the baby teeth. Children with severely decayed baby teeth may undergo a number of procedures to preserve the alignment of the baby teeth, strengthen chewing and speech ability, and to ensure normal growth pattern of the jaws. Your dentist may elect to save your child’s baby tooth/teeth with any of the following treatments:

• A space maintainer
• Silver fillings
• Stainless steel crowns
• Pulpotomy (removal of a portion of the infected nerve)
• Special orthodontic devices

What Are The Advantages And Benefits Of Saving Broken Teeth?

In the long run, there are many reasons to save your loose, knocked out or broken teeth. As a preventive measure, early treatment to prevent broken teeth is always less expensive than involved treatment. Prompt care is important because complications can arise from untreated broken teeth. Patients with broken teeth leading to tooth loss often find themselves with unpleasant results, including, further tooth loss, advanced periodontal disease, poor chewing function, TMJ problems, compromised speech and lowered self-confidence.

Get Help For Your Broken Teeth

Don’t wait to get the restorative dentistry you need to resolve issues with broken teeth or other dental problems. If you’re suffering from broken teeth, partner with our team to get the help you need fast.

To visit a Bonner Springs dentist who can provide a gentle, effective solution for broken teeth, contact us here call (913) 441-1600.