Fixing Broken Teeth
Accidents happen, and so do broken teeth. A broken tooth, as the name suggests, is when a part of the tooth, or the whole tooth, is broken or chipped. These can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable, especially if cracked through sensitive nerve structures of the tooth. Traditionally, a minor chip may not require dental repair. Alternatively, if the tooth is painful or visibly deformed in a significant manner, a dentist may recommend fixing broken teeth. This will prevent any future infection and pain that it may cause you.
Causes of Broken Teeth
People can sustain a broken tooth for many reasons. Some of the most common causes for broken teeth include injuries from sports, trips and falls, chewing hard foods, and grinding their teeth. Starting with sports injuries, if you don’t use a mouthguard you may come in contact with something or someone. If this hits your mouth, your tooth may chip.
Next, if you fall and hit your mouth on the ground, your teeth can break or chip upon impact. When chewing hard foods, you may chomp too hard and cause damage to your teeth.
Lastly, grinding teeth is a common reason why teeth break. The action can wear down teeth and cause them to chip away gradually. Whatever the reason for your broken tooth, there are ways to fix it.
Dental Bonding To Fix Broken Teeth
The first way that your dentist may recommend fixing broken teeth is by dental bonding. Dental bonding is essentially the same as getting a tooth cavity filled. A resin is placed over the cracked or broken area, and then it is hardened with the use of an ultraviolet light.
This resin is tooth-colored, so it matches your surrounding teeth and blends in perfectly. This way, you, and anybody else, won’t be able to tell that you had a dental bonding procedure. Dental bonding is often recommended for those with minor breaks in your teeth.
Dental Crown
A second option for fixing broken teeth is by using a dental crown. Dental crowns, or caps, fit over the harmed tooth like a hat. These are often recommended if a tooth breaks or has a substantial amount of decay. With a crown, the entire top of the tooth is covered and therefore not in contact with the outside oral environment. To get a cap, your dentist will prepare the tooth. This could include building the tooth up with resin or removing a portion of the tooth for proper fitting.
Next, a mold will be made and sent to a laboratory where a permanent crown will be created. When this crown is complete, your dentist will permanently place it. Crowns are recommended for substantial breaks.
Dental Veneers
A third common option for fixing a broken teeth is through dental veneers. A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain or resin material that is attached directly over the front of the damaged tooth. Think of a false nail – it goes over the existent nail. To complete these, your dentist will take a mold and send it to a laboratory for a veneer to be created. When done, the dentist will file down the front of your tooth, use a cement-like composite to attach the veneer, and harden it in place. Veneers are recommended for minor breaks or cracks.
Get Your Broken Tooth Fixed Today
If you’ve recently broken a tooth or are in pain from a previously broken tooth, get your tooth fixed today with Todd Shatkin DDS. With over 30 years of cosmetic dentistry experience, you’ll know you’re in the most experienced hands.
Call us to schedule a free consultation and we’ll go over the best treatment plan for you!
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