Fix Broken Teeth
You get no warning when a tooth breaks but fortunately, there are a number of options available to patients today to fix a broken tooth in relatively short order. A broken tooth can be the result of an accident, cavity, or eating hard food and can cause pain and keep you from smiling.
Advanced technology in the dental world has made dental traumas easier to fix than ever! Call your dentist as soon as you can, most offices keep emergency time in their schedule so your dentist will likely be able to help at least get you out of pain and protect the tooth from further damage within the day. Your dentist will also be able to discuss your options to repair your broken or fractured tooth.
Options to Restore a Broken Tooth
If a broken or fractured tooth develops an infection and is causing severe pain, your dentist may advise you to have a root canal before restoring the tooth. Once your tooth is free of infection, your dentist will repair the tooth with one of the following:
- Dental Bonding: Composite bonding is a non-invasive option to repair a broken tooth. This treatment is only appropriate for minor breaks and is not ideal for anterior teeth. The composite material used in dental bonding is strong but it is not as strong as porcelain and is susceptible to chipping and staining.
- Composite Fillings: As with bonding, a dental filling uses composite material to restore a damaged tooth. Fillings are most commonly associated with cavities but can be used on broken teeth.
- Dental Sealants: Sealants can be used to repair broken molars and protect them from cavity-causing bacteria. A dental sealant is placed on the occlusal (chewing) surface of the molars and premolars.
- Dental Crowns: Perhaps the most common restoration for broken teeth, dental crowns fit over the entire tooth to protect it from further damage and allow the patient to keep the tooth. Crowns are made from porcelain and therefore are incredibly durable.
- Veneers: Like crowns, veneers are made from porcelain but are thinner than crowns and do not cover the entire tooth surface. Veneers are frequently used on the anterior teeth and or a great option for restoring broken teeth.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are generally used only when a tooth has been deemed hopeless. If a tooth is broken so far down that a crown cannot be affixed to the remaining tooth structure, your Dentist may advise that you have the remaining tooth structure extracted and have an implant placed.
With so many options available, there is no need to panic over a broken or fractured tooth. Your dentist will discuss your options with you and together you can determine which restoration is best for you. Make sure that you call your dentist as soon as you can so that your broken or fractured tooth does not develop an infection.
More on Fixing Teeth : Fix Chipped Teeth