5 Dental Procedures to Repair Your Cracked or Broken Tooth

26 July 2018

Cracked teeth can result from a fall or accident. In such an event, you should immediately see a dentist so that they can handle the situation promptly. The appropriate treatment for you depends on how badly damaged your teeth are. Fortunately, there are various treatment options at your disposal, and technology today will ensure that you do not have to live with a broken tooth.

Even though your teeth are covered by enamel, the strongest tissue in the body), they are still susceptible to cracking and breaking. Some of the common causes of a broken tooth include: chewing on hard things, a traumatic blow, crash, or fall. Tooth decay and cavities also contribute towards damaged teeth. This is because they weaken the teeth, causing them to be susceptible to breaking when chewing hard food.

There are several types of cracked teeth, including:

1. Craze Lines

These consist of tiny cracks which only affect the outer part of the enamel and are most common in adults. However, they are shallow and not painful. Most people choose to have them fixed due to their appearance.

2. Fractured Cusp

This occurs when part of the chewing surface of the tooth breaks off. It usually does not cause a lot of pain.

3. Cracked Teeth

A cracked tooth refers to a crack that extends from the chewing surface vertically towards the root. In such cases, an early diagnosis is crucial so as to save the tooth. When a cracked tooth is left untreated, it gets worse over time which might eventually result in loss of the tooth. Early treatment, therefore, is essential if the cracked tooth is to be saved.

4. Split tooth

This refers to what happens after a cracked-tooth is left untreated for a long time. It can be identified by the distinctive crack segments that can be separated. Unfortunately, it is not possible to save a split tooth.

5. Vertical Root Fracture

These are crack beginning at the root of the tooth and extending towards the chewing surface. However, they do not show any major signs or symptoms and are usually only discovered when the surrounding gum and bone becomes infected.

The following are five dental procedures that are often used to repair broken or cracked teeth. Your dentist will determine which of the treatments is most appropriate for you.

1. Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a treatment technique used to repair chipped, decayed, discoloured, gapped, and cracked teeth. During this procedure, you do not require anesthesia unless the bonding is being used to repair your cavities. Your dentist will begin by roughening the tooth and then putting a conditioning liquid upon it. They will then apply putty to it before proceeding to mould and smoothen it. They will then use ultraviolet light to harden the composite, and after the tooth bonding dries, they will shape and polish it so that it matches the rest of the tooth. Composite bonding typically lasts for up to 10 years.

2. Crowns

Crowns are among the more common dental restorative treatments available. If you have a badly chipped tooth that causes you a lot of pain when drinking or eating, then you might be in need of a crown. Crowns act as caps that cover and protect your teeth, while also improving their appearance. They enable cracked and broken teeth to be able to withstand the pressure of chewing. During a crown installation, your dentist will give you anesthesia to make the treatment more comfortable for you. The tooth will then be prepared so that the dentist can take impressions that they will use to design a permanent crown. After creation, the permanent crown will be cemented to the tooth.

3. Veneers

These are essentially teeth covers. And out of all the veneer types, porcelain ones are the most frequently recommended because they offer the most natural and attractive results. Veneers are usually bonded to the front of your teeth. You can have more than one veneer applied to one tooth. This is an awesome treatment as it allows you to decide on how you would like your veneers to look. With proper care, veneers can last up to thirty years, so you do not have to worry about constantly replacing them. During the procedure, the tooth is first prepared by removing some of its structure so that it does not look too bulky. Impressions will then be taken, and it is here that you get to choose the shape, shade, and size of the veneer that you want.

4. Root Canal

This procedure involves clearing out the decayed matter and removing the nerves. This method is effective for teeth that have cracks extending down to their pulps. A root canal also treats sensitive and swollen teeth, as well as those that are prone to aching. If an infected tooth is not treated, the infection may spread and lead to an abscess, bone loss, and other problems. The procedure works by drilling into the tooth and removing the pulp and nerves. Thereafter, the tooth is sealed to avoid infections. A crown may also be added to enhance its strength.

5. Dental Implants

For teeth that have cracks extending deep below the gumline, they are no longer treatable and will need extraction. Dental implants are used to replace these lost teeth. Dental implants consist of biocompatible titanium screws that are drilled into the jawbone to act as roots for the new teeth. Some time is then allowed for the screws to fuse into the bone. Impressions of your teeth are then taken and made to fit onto the screws.

Damaged teeth may make a person self-conscious about their image, making them avoid smiling. However, under the right care, a good dentist will use one or a combination of the above dental procedures to restore your smile.

Oakville Place Dental Office is the leading dental problems solutions provider in Ontario. Our practice is made up of a team of highly skilled dentists with over 25 years’ experience. We have served numerous patients and always look forward to seeing the smiles of our patients once their treatment is over. For more information, please call us at (289) 644-2300 or contact us here.

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