Fix Broken Teeth
Broken teeth are not only painful, they can also lead to more serious problems such as infection, abscess, and even tooth loss. Unfortunately, broken teeth are not uncommon. Fractures can occur from biting into a particularly hard substance, traumatic injury to the face or jaw, or even clenching or grinding one’s teeth at night. A broken tooth is not without remedy, however: your dentist has multiple solutions at their disposal. The important thing is that you contact your dentist as soon as possible to implement one of the following solutions and thereby avoid further injury and complications.
Bonding and sealants
If a chipped or fractured tooth has been identified early on and secondary infections or other issues are not present, a simply bonding procedure or sealant can be utilized to fill in any cracks, chips, or breaks. While bonding – the application of a small amount of dental composite that is then hardened with UV light – can be used on most teeth, dental sealants are usually used on the back molars and premolars. Both of these solutions prevent further injury and the development of tooth decay in the affected teeth.
Fillings and root canals
In some cases, broken teeth can lead to tooth decay in the form of cavities and even abscesses under the surface of the tooth. If a cavity has developed, your dentist will likely need to clean out the affected area and the fill it with dental composite. If the damage is more extensive, a root canal might be necessary. In this case, drilling is required to root out the infected matter; after that procedure, the space is filled with composite or resin and the top of the tooth is fitted with a crown to further protect the tooth from future problems.
Veneers
Veneers are used to correct chips and breaks visible on the front of one’s teeth. Thin shells typically made of porcelain or other composite materials, veneers are adhered to the front of the teeth, providing a whole new surface and blemish-free appearance. In addition to their use in covering up chips and breaks that are difficult to correct via bonding or crowns, veneers can also be used as an aesthetic solution for teeth that are stained beyond repair due to age, trauma, or the result of certain kinds of medications.
Dental Implants
Finally, full tooth replacement may be required for serious breaks or fractures that compromise the integrity or health of a tooth. In this case, dental implants are generally the preferred method for tooth replacement. They consist of a three-piece structure, the first of which is surgically embedded into the jawbone. This deep structural support makes dental implants very strong and long-lasting. Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, an abutment piece is then added. The prosthetic crown can either be cemented on or made to be removable, depending on the preference of the patient and the advice of their dentist. While dental implants take some time to create and place, they are excellent permanent solutions to tooth loss created by breakage.