Breaking a tooth isn’t impossible. Many people chip, crack, or fracture their teeth due to various reasons, such as biting down into something hard, getting hit in the face, or due to dental decay.
The downside to a broken tooth is the embarrassment you may feel in social gatherings. If the damaged tooth is visible, you may avoid talking to people or even smiling! But the great news is that there are many ways to fix a broken tooth, thanks to advances in dentistry.
So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out the 7 best ways to fix a broken tooth.
What Is A Broken Tooth?
As the name suggests, a broken tooth, also known as a fractured tooth, is a tooth that has a crack or a break in the tooth’s enamel.
Dentists diagnose a broken tooth via a physical examination and dental X-rays. Broken teeth are pretty common and dentists encounter them daily. They often occur in older patients and affect women more than men.
Is A Broken Tooth A Dental Emergency?
If someone is experiencing any of the following, the broken tooth may be a dental emergency and they must visit their dentist as soon as possible –
- Pain or bleeding
- A significant break beyond the tooth enamel
- The tooth is knocked out of the mouth
Sometimes, in cases of dental trauma, the impact can also affect the jaw. If you are unable to bring your upper and lower teeth together when you close your mouth, you must see your dentist immediately. And in case you’re unable to get in touch with your dentist, go to the emergency room stat.
A broken tooth may not always demand immediate attention, however, it’s best to have it seen as soon as you can. If you leave a broken tooth untreated for too long, the crack can deepen and you may end up losing your entire tooth.
7 Ways To Fix A Broken Tooth
Listed below are 7 popular ways to fix a broken tooth.
Dental Veneers
Veneers – also known as Hollywood teeth – are custom, wafer-thin covers made of porcelain or composite resin material. These are fixed on the front surfaces of the tooth to improve their appearance. Veneers are a popular solution to fix a broken tooth. Meanwhile, many Hollywood stars and supermodels also use veneers to get that picture-perfect smile you see on the red carpet or magazine covers.
The teeth receiving veneers are shaved down to create space for restoration. The dentist takes impressions and sends them to the dental lab to manufacture the veneers. Once back, the veneers are placed on the teeth using dental cement.
The treatment is a permanent one, so make sure this is something you want.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. They are thicker than veneers and restore the tooth’s appearance, structure, and function.
Crowns are usually made of metal, porcelain, and ceramic. They are the safest option to fix broken or decayed teeth.
Similar to veneers, the tooth getting the crown is shaved down to create space for it. Impressions are sent to the dental lab to make the crown. Once back, the shape and fit are checked and the dentist cements the restoration into place.
Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the safest dental ways to fix a broken tooth. If your tooth has a cavity, this procedure is painless, beneficial, and inexpensive.
The dentist numbs the area around the affected tooth. They remove the decayed material and replace it with filling material, usually amalgam. To improve the appearance, the dentist might fill the tooth with composite, a tooth-colored material.
Dental Implants
If your tooth is broken beyond the point of saving, the dentist might recommend removing it. The missing tooth is then replaced with a dental implant.
The procedure for an implant is an extensive one, but the results are worth the effort. After your dentist determines that you are a good candidate for an implant, they will proceed with the treatment.
They place the implant base surgically within the jawbone and send you home for 6-12 weeks to heal and allow the jawbone and implant base to fuse. This process is also known as osseointegration.
Once the fusion is complete, the dentist places the false tooth on top of the implant. Implants are considered the “gold standard” of tooth replacement.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are great for fixing holes in the tooth and protecting it from infection. Sealants are commonly brushed into place on the back of the molars and premolars. The treatment acts as a shield against decay-causing bacteria. This helps prevent damage to your teeth.
The procedure is a very short one, taking about 15-20 minutes in total. Sealants are also recommended as a preventive treatment to protect your teeth against cavities.
Root Canal Treatment
In some cases, broken and cracked teeth may develop infections that reach the center, infecting the pulp tissue. If this is the case, dentists recommend a root canal treatment.
In this procedure, they remove the infected material including the pulp tissue and replace it with an inert material called gutta-percha.
The affected tooth is isolated to prevent contamination. The dentist then drills a hole to access the tooth center. Using fine dental instruments, they remove the infected tissue, clean, and shape the root canals.
After disinfecting the canals, they place gutta-percha in them. They will then place the permanent filling to seal the tooth.
Root canal treatments fix broken and infected teeth while maintaining them in the mouth.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is the least invasive way to fix a broken tooth. The procedure is recommended to fix a tooth’s small cracks, chips, or breaks.
It involves using tooth-colored composite to correct and improve the appearance of the affected tooth.
The composite is placed on the tooth and molded into place. Once the dentist is happy with the result, they will harden the material using a blue light.
Get Your Broken Teeth Fixed at Hopkins Family Dentistry Now!
At Hopkins Family Dentistry, our dental team strives to make your dental visits easy-going, efficient, and a delight for everyone!
Our resident dental expert is Dr. Arielle Avant. A graduate of the Oregon Health and Sciences School of Dentistry, Dr. Avant has devoted her career to learning the art of facial esthetics while creating a laidback atmosphere at her dental practice that allows her patients to relax and feel comfortable before getting major procedures done.
As a family dental establishment, we make sure that you and your family feel comfortable from the moment you enter our clinic to the point you leave. With our expertise, we prioritize your comfort while providing state-of-the-art services – ensuring that you leave us with a smile on your face!
To schedule an appointment with the Hopkins Family team, you can call us at (952) 935-2121. You can also request a free virtual consult with Dr. Avant. Hopkins Family also offers emergency dental treatment – so you can get immediate help if you have a broken tooth!
