Fix Broken Teeth
If you suffer from a fractured or broken tooth, it is important to get to your dentist as soon as possible! Most dental offices reserve emergency time in their schedule every day so you should be able to get in. Even if they are unable to repair the tooth, they will be able to put a protective restoration on the tooth so it does not become further damaged. Even if you break a tooth after business hours, call your dental office to get an emergency contact number.
A broken tooth can result from an accident, decay, or eating hard food and can be extremely painful. There are a number of options available to patients to repair a broken tooth including crowns or veneers but in some cases, the tooth is fractured beyond repair and requires extraction.
How is a broken tooth repaired?
Dental sealants are a treatment that is usually used on pediatric patients to protect posterior teeth from decay but can also be used as a protective restoration on a broken tooth to prevent further damage. Sealants are applied in liquid form to the biting surface of the tooth and cured with an ultraviolet light to form a hard, protective plastic coating. To repair the tooth permanently, your dentist may advise dental bonding, composite fillings, a crown or veneer, or in the case of extraction, a dental implant.
- Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is a quick and cost-effective way to repair a broken tooth. Bonding is made from a composite material and is not as strong as porcelain and is only appropriate for minor chips and breaks in the teeth. Dental bonding is tooth colored and will match the rest of your tooth seamlessly but because it is not as strong as porcelain, it is more susceptible to chipping and staining.
- Composite Fillings: A composite filling is typically used to restore a tooth when decay has been removed but it can also be used to repair a broken tooth. Composite fillings are also tinted to match your natural tooth structure.
- Dental Crowns: A crown is made from porcelain and covers the entire tooth above the gumline. Crowns are commonly used on the posterior teeth but may also be used on anterior teeth when necessary. Porcelain is very strong and durable and does not stain.
- Dental Veneers: A dental veneer is also fabricated with porcelain but unlike crowns, a veneer only covers the front of the tooth therefore more natural tooth structure is preserved. Veneers are most often used on anterior teeth.
- Dental Implants: When a tooth breaks in such a manner that not enough exposed tooth structure is available for a crown, it may be deemed hopeless and require extraction. In this case, a dental implant is a great way to restore your tooth and ensure that your mouth stays healthy.