Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, even harder than your bones. As such, it would seem that chipping or breaking a tooth would be difficult. The truth is, there are many factors which can result in a chipped or broken tooth. When you or a family member have a damaged tooth and need emergency dental care, you can contact Sacramento Emergency Dentist for chipped and broken tooth repair.

At Sacramento Emergency Dentist, our dental team will work to make sure your tooth is restored to its natural-looking state. Your chipped or broken tooth will be repaired using state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials. Our dentists are skilled professionals, committed to excellence in the execution of procedures and in aesthetics. Your repaired tooth will blend in naturally without looking artificial.

The Amazing Tooth

Healthy teeth are amazing. Your tooth enamel is composed of 96% minerals, mainly a form of calcium phosphate called hydroxyapatite. No substance in your body has that much mineral composition. Thus, your teeth are very durable and resistant to damage when they are healthy. In fact, using the Mohs Hardness Scale Rating, healthy teeth, rated with a score of 5, are harder than nickel (4), iron (4.5), and steel (4-4.5). This hardness scale has a range from 1, which is the softest material (talc) to 10 which is the hardest. Diamonds are rated 10. When you bite down, on average your jaws are exerting a powerful 165 pounds of pressure or more. Though that sounds like a lot, healthy teeth can resist up to 30,000 pounds of compressive force.

Teeth are constructed in a basket-weave design, giving them tremendous strength to withstand enormous amounts of pressure. Because of the way a tooth is designed, if it cracks, the structure prevents the crack from spreading, unless it undergoes repeated impact. A single impact that forms the crack will not necessarily destroy the tooth, but left neglected, the consequences increase over time.

Risk Factors for Chipped and Broken Teeth

Although teeth are extremely strong and durable, under certain circumstances they become vulnerable to damage. There are many risk factors that can lead to a chipped or broken tooth. One of the first things that comes to mind is a sporting accident. Impact with an object such as a bat or hockey stick can cause mouth trauma and result in a chipped or broken tooth. A custom mouthguard can prevent injuries, such as these, to the teeth. Some individuals enjoy the crunch and coolness of ice. Chewing it or other hard materials can be harmful to teeth. The same goes for opening bottles or using your teeth as a cutting instrument. Piercings are still very popular, and tongue piercings, though attractive to some, can lead to chipped teeth when the piercing is metal. The constant impact of hitting the metal piercing against the teeth increases the risk for chipping. Another common cause of chipping or breakage is clenching and grinding your teeth. The constant pressure caused by these actions often leads to erosion of tooth enamel and/or chipping or breakage.

Chipped and Broken Tooth Repair by Sacramento Emergency Dentist

When a tooth is chipped or broken and the softer layers of the tooth are not exposed, you may not have tooth sensitivity. Without that, it can be tempting to ignore the damage, especially if the tooth involved is not visible when you smile. However, it is important to realize that any injury to a tooth can make it more vulnerable to decay and further damage.

Neglecting a chipped or broken tooth can make the problem worse as the tooth undergoes repeated impact. The dental team at Sacramento Emergency Dentist offers same day appointments and online scheduling for your convenience. If you have a cracked or broken tooth, contact us, and book your exam and consultation for repair.