Teeth are remarkably strong, but it isn’t uncommon for them to chip, crack or break. Many things can cause this including biting down on something hard, being hit in the face or mouth, falling, having cavities, and more. Cracking or breaking teeth can be scary, but don’t fret. Your tooth can be repaired.
Emergency Dental can help you repair broken or chipped teeth and our experienced dentists and staff knows how to handle this type of situation. We use restorative and cosmetic procedures to get your smile back on track.
Check out these 4 procedures that can repair your broken or cracked tooth.
Crowns
Dental crowns are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dentist. A crown is used to entirely cover or cap a damaged tooth. Crowns not only improve the shape, alignment and appearance of a damaged tooth, they also strengthen the tooth. Porcelain and ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials that can be used, depending on the break and tooth, are gold, metal alloys and acrylic.
When a dentist may recommend a crown to patients:
- Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a root canal
- Cover a dental implant
- Protect a weak tooth from a fracture
Dental Bonding
Bonding is typically used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It is also used to close spaces between teeth, make teeth look longer or to change the shape and color of teeth. Bonding can also protect a tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede.
When a dentist may recommend dental bonding to patients:
- To repair chipped or cracked teeth
- To close spaces between teeth
- To protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede
- To change the length and shape of teeth
- To improve the appearance of discolored teeth
- To repair decayed teeth
Root Canal
Root canals have been known for being painful, but the good news is with modern dental technology, if done right, you should feel no pain or only minor discomfort. If you have a severely damaged, decaying, or serious tooth infection, your dentist may recommend a root canal. Root canals are used to repair and save your tooth instead of removing it.
When a dentist may recommend a root canal:
- A deep cavity
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- Injury to the tooth
- Infection
- Severely damaged or rotting tooth
Dental Implant
If you have a crack that goes below the gum line, the tooth is no longer treatable and cannot be saved. You will need a tooth extraction which means your tooth will need to be pulled and replaced with a dental implant.
When a dentist may recommend dental implants:
- A severely cracked or broken tooth
- Missing one or more of your natural teeth
- You are starting to experience bone loss
- You have an infected tooth
Have a dental emergency?
Contact us today to set up an appointment! Our emergency dental services include abscessed tooth, root canals, bridges, fillings, swollen jaw, crowns, broken teeth and more. We accept most insurance, cash, debit and credit cards and we also have financing options available too!