Can a dentist save my broken front teeth, or will I need a bridge? I broke six front teeth in an accident, but my dentist says the roots are healthy. He recommended that I start with a partial plate or a dental bridge. Don’t those procedures require extractions? Would root canals and dental crowns help? – Thanks. Micah from UT
Micah,
A partial denture and a dental bridge are tooth replacement options when you are missing teeth or require extractions.
Can You Save Broken Front Teeth?
Sometimes a dentist can save a broken front tooth with a root canal, post, and crown. Whether a tooth is savable depends on how much tooth structure is left and your bite. Your dentist’s treatment philosophy may influence your treatment options. Rather than attempting to save a tooth with root canal treatment and a post, some dentists prefer using a dental implant—a popular, reliable alternative.
What Are the Challenges of Restoring a Broken Front Tooth?
Restoring a broken front tooth is a challenge for many dentists due to rotational force on the tooth. A front tooth is somewhat round near the root. If a dentist places a round tooth into the root tooth, the restoration (crown) has minimal resistance to rotational forces. Eventually, the forces will loosen the tooth post. Some dentists place two posts into the root.
Additionally, a tooth rigid tooth post is strong, but it can crack a front tooth root when tipping forces occur against a root. However, carbon fiber or fiberglass posts are flexible and should be used on front teeth. So flexible posts, such as carbon fiber or fiberglass posts should be used on front teeth.
You can get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist whose treatment philosophy is to save teeth whenever possible. After an exam and X-rays, the dentist will explain whether root canal treatment and dental crowns or an option or if you would get better results with single dental implants or an implant bridge.
Dr. Brian LeSage, a Beverly Hills accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry, sponsors this post.