Best Solutions for Broken Teeth
Teeth are covered with the hardest, most durable tissue in the body – enamel. Yet, severe trauma, such as a fall, crash, or blow, or even tooth decay can cause your teeth to break. Broken teeth affect your appearance, and ability to chew and speak properly. However, advancements in dental materials and treatments allow you to quickly repair your damaged teeth with superior, natural-looking results.
The most common treatments for repairing cracked, fractured, and broken teeth include dental bonding, crowns, and veneers.
Bonding for Broken Teeth
Bonding is the least expensive and quickest procedure for repairing broken teeth and is ideal for patients who have at least two-thirds of their healthy tooth remaining. Cosmetic dentists are usually the best choice to perform this procedure since they receive additional training after dental school that prepares them to expertly use bonding materials and sculpting techniques.
In one appointment, you will be able to leave your dentist’s office with fully restored teeth. Your dentist will first make the surface of your broken teeth rough using a procedure known as etching. When your damaged teeth are ready, your dentist will then apply resin, a durable plastic, in a shade selected to match your natural teeth. Expertly sculpting the resin, your dentist will make your teeth look as though they were never damaged.
Veneers for Broken Teeth
If bonding is not an option for you because too much of your natural tooth has broken off, your next option could be dental veneers. Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite material that are adhered to the front surface of teeth, similar to a fake nail being applied to a natural nail. Porcelain veneers are superior to composite veneers because they are durable and mimic the luster and look of natural teeth.
Your dentist will need to remove a thin layer of enamel to fit your veneer. An impression of your broken teeth will then be sent to a laboratory, where your customized veneers will take one to two weeks to be made. The most expensive veneers are the thinnest ones that require the least amount of enamel removal. On your second visit, your dentist will prepare the surface of your teeth by etching them. Dental cement, selected in a shade to match your natural tooth color, is then applied. It could take several applications before your veneer is just right in size and shape to be permanently applied.
Crowns for Broken Teeth
In severe cases where much of the tooth is damaged, crowns may be the best option. A dental crown is a cap made of metal, porcelain on top of metal, resin, or ceramic and fully encases your damaged tooth, up to the gum line.
Depending on the severity of your tooth’s damage, your dentist will either need to remove some of the remaining tooth to make room for the crown or use dental filling to hold the crown. A customized crown made from an impression of your tooth could take two to three weeks to complete. When ready, your dentist will prepare your tooth and use dental cement to hold your new crown in place. It will appear as though you never had damage to your teeth!
Consult with your dentist to determine which treatment is best for repairing your broken teeth. It is important to restore damaged teeth to avoid further damage and possible infection. Having your teeth fixed by an oral care professional will help you enhance your smile and restore chewing functions.