5 Procedures That Can Repair Your Cracked Or Broken Tooth

A tooth can crack or break due to accidental falls or while chewing ice or hard candy. The realization that you have a cracked or broken tooth can be a scary. Thankfully the damage to the tooth and your smile can be repaired.

Advancements in dental treatments today mean you don’t have to live with damaged teeth.The ideal treatment for you will depend on how severe the damage is.

Broken Teeth

5 procedures that may be used to repair your cracked or broken tooth

1. Dental Bonding

Use of Composite bonding materials is a way to fix chipped, cracked, discolored, decayed,  misshapen, and gapped teeth. Composite bonding can last up to a decade. Usually, anesthesia isn’t required during the procedure unless bonding is being applied to cavities.

Bonding treatment

• The dentist will clean the tooth, then he/she will roughen the tooth and place a conditioning liquid.
• The composite bonding material will then be applied.
• Then depending on the type of material, the dentist chose, ultraviolet light may be used to harden the bonding material.
• When the bonding material has dried, it will be shaped, molded and polished to match the rest of the tooth.

2. Veneers

Veneers are like covers for the tooth. Porcelain veneers are preferred because they provide the most natural looking results possible.

The veneer is bonded to the outer front of the tooth, changing the tooth’s appearance. With proper oral care and maintenance, veneers can last up to three decades.

Veneers may be placed on one tooth or a few teeth based on need. You can choose how you want it to look. It is a cosmetic treatment but is indeed an excellent option for people with cracked teeth. But, if you clench/grind your teeth (bruxism), veneers may not be recommended for you because they will wear down quicker.

Veneer process

• First, the teeth are prepared for veneers. The dentist will gently remove some of the tooth structure so that the tooth does not look bulky.
• Impressions of the tooth will be taken. The patient will get to decide about the shade, shape, and size of your veneer.
• The veneers are created in a lab that specializes in the job. The patient is given temporary veneers in the meantime.
• During a later visit, the temporary veneers will be removed, and the permanent ones will be bonded to the front of the tooth.

3. Crowns

If the tooth is severely chipped or the patient experiences pain when chewing or drinking, they may need a crown. These are one of the most preferred restorative treatments.

It is a cap that covers the tooth and protects it and improves its appearance. It acts as a durable-covering for the tooth. It prevents loss of the tooth. Without a crown, the damaged tooth will be unable to withstand the pressure of chewing.

Most dentists use crowns created from tooth-colored porcelain to create a natural, uniform look. They are customized for each patient and are designed to match the tooth perfectly.

Procedure for Crown Placement

• The tooth is cleaned and prepared. Some tooth structure may be removed to make space to accommodate the crown.
• After the tooth is prepared, the dentist will take impressions. These are sent to a lab to make the permanent crown. A temporary crown is provided in the meantime.
• When the permanent replacement is ready, it is cemented to the remaining tooth structure.

4. Root Canal

When the crack in the tooth extends into the pulp, the tooth can be treated with a root canal procedure. Sometime after the root canal treatment, a crown may be placed to protect the crack from spreading. Until then, the patient will be given a temporary crown to help you use your teeth properly.

A root canal process involves clearing out the deteriorated tooth matter and extracting the nerve. This procedure is ill-reputed for being painful. But with advanced treatment techniques and tools, in the hands of an expert dental professional one should feel no pain or just minor discomfort.

If the patient is experiencing tooth sensitivity, toothache, or swelling, they may need a root canal.Untreated, the infection can advance, resulting in abscess formation, bone loss, and other serious complications.

Root Canal

Root canal therapy procedure

• An x-ray of the tooth may be taken to see if it is infected.
• Next, an anesthetic is given to minimize discomfort.
• The dentist then uses specialized tools to drill into the tooth and removes the infected or dead pulp and the nerve.
• The tooth is then sealed to avoid any further infection.
• If the tooth’s strength has been affected, a crown will need to be placed on the biting surface.
• The entire therapy usually takes one dental appointment.

5. Dental Implants

If the crack in the tooth extends below the gum line, the tooth is no longer treatable, and cannot be saved. The tooth will need to be extracted, meaning the tooth will need to be pulled out. And next, a dental implant can be placed as a substitute for the extracted natural tooth.

The implant acts as a new root and is placed securely in the jawbone for a long-lasting fit.

Dental implant procedure

• Biocompatible screws(usually titanium)are surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as the new root for your replacement tooth.
• With time the bone fuses with the titanium screws, allowing for a secure, lasting foundation.
• After about three to four months, an impression of the teeth is taken to ascertain the treatment is progressing as it should. During this procedure, the dentist will customize the structure and create the dental crown, which will be placed on top of the implant.
• During the next appointment, the dentist will place the permanent crown and ensure a secure, comfortable fit.

Dental Implants Dallas specialist, Dr. Cory Nguyen says, “If the patient doesn't have enough bone for dental implant placement, the dentist may recommend a bone graft procedure. Bone grafts are expensive and require an extended healing period. An alternative option available to such patients is mini dental Implants.”

Only a dentist can determine which of the above treatments is best for you and your mouth. If your tooth is broken or cracked, see a dentist right away. So you can avoid further damage and infection. And possibly even save the tooth.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_trauma
2. http://beyondsmiles.com/smile-again-with-dental-implants/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneer_(dentistry)