Premature tooth wear, broken fillings and chipped teeth, can all be signs of underlying functional dental problems. New Bern dentist Dr. Stephen Hoard is one of the most highly trained restorative dentists in North Carolina. In addition to his New Bern dentist office, Dr. Hoard is an Associate Faculty member at the Dawson Academy where he teaches other dentists about restorative dentistry and how to address problems like excessive tooth wear.
What Causes Broken Teeth and Wear
In some instances, a single chipped or broken tooth is caused by an injury or accident. Dr. Hoard can fix these problems quickly with treatment options such as tooth bonding, veneers or crowns.
Teeth grinding is a common cause of worn or broken teeth and can be treated with a mouth guard or other type of oral appliance.
If your issue is with a tooth or teeth that break repeatedly, even after repeated dental treatment, you could have an underlying functional problem such as malocclusion or TMJ disorder.
Treatment For Worn & 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 for 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.
- Orthodontics: Crooked, or misaligned teeth, can sometimes be the source for premature tooth wear and/or broken teeth. Dr. Hoard works with local New Bern orthodontist, Dr. Todd Rankin to design and implement an orthodontic treatment plan.
- Restorative Dentistry: Ceramic restorations such as dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental fillings can become damaged when the teeth are not properly aligned. Dr. Hoard can repair broken fillings and crowns as well as restore worn or broken teeth with new ceramic restorations.
- Tooth Bonding: For minor tooth chips, Dr. Hoard may recommend cosmetic tooth bonding. This is a simple procedure, typically complete in a single dental visit.