A broken tooth should always be classed as a dental emergency and one that can cause a great deal of inconvenience as well as discomfort. It’s good to know then that there are several broken tooth repair options that you can choose from especially dental crowns that can help to restore your smile and give you a confidence boost.
Patients who have broken a tooth should contact their local emergency dentist who will examine them and based on their findings, will talk through their options.
In this post, we discuss 7 of the most commonly used…
A dental crown
Dental crowns are in essence hollow restorations that fit over the entire surface area of the tooth.
Modern dental crowns are incredibly lifelike and durable and help with a broken tooth repair by restoring both the aesthetics and functionality of a new tooth. A dental crown can be made from a variety of materials to suit your needs including porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), all-ceramic and all-porcelain.
On some occasions, they can also be designed using a gold and metal alloy. Most dentists consider dental crowns to be the safest and best option to assist with a broken or chipped tooth and allows the patient to eat and chew normally once again.
Dental veneers
Unlike a dental crown that covers the entire surface area of the tooth, dental veneers are custom-made shells that are secured to the front surface of the tooth. They work best as a broken tooth repair when a patient experiences slight chipping or hairline cracking and like dental crowns are strong, durable and natural-looking to restore and protect the problem tooth beneath while creating an instant flawless look.
Dental Implant
When a tooth is damaged beyond repair, often the only option is to remove it completely and replace it with a tooth implant and dental crown. Because a dental implant is anchored directly into the jaw it forms a solid platform which can then be topped with a dental crown. This creates a permanent and long-lasting replacement that should blend in effortlessly with the patient’s existing smile.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is probably the simplest of all the broken tooth repair options. The process involves blending a composite filling material into the chip or crack, resulting in functional and aesthetic restoration. Unlike dental crowns or veneers which are normally completed over several appointments, dental bonding can be successfully applied and hardened in just one single sitting, so a patient gets to walk out with a fully restored smile.
Root canal therapy
Unfortunately, when cracked or broken teeth are left, bacteria can get into the inner chambers of the tooth causing a degree of discomfort. In these cases, a dentist may suggest root canal treatment to get you out of pain fast. During the process, the infected chambers (root canals) are cleaned out and the area is backfilled and sealed so no more infection can take hold. Finally, more often than not, the area is topped with a dental crown to protect it. This gives the tooth back its functionality, effectively saving the tooth.
Tooth fillings
If your tooth has suffered a cavity rather than a chip, crack or fracture then a composite (white) or amalgam (silver) tooth filling may be the best solution. This type of broken tooth repair is among the easiest and least invasive of all broken tooth repair options. It is not a long term fix, lasting anywhere between 5-7 years on average but it’s both painless and cost-efficient.
Dental sealants
Dental sealants are designed more to protect a tooth from cavities cracks or blemishes and are primarily applied to children’s teeth usually on the molars and pre-molars.
So there you have it… 7 broken tooth repair options to get you back on track. The good news is that you don’t have to make the choice on your own. Instead, a dentist will help you choose based on several factors including:
- The complexity or degree of the fracture of break
- The location of the problem tooth (upper or lower jaw)
- The preferences of the patient; and
- Budget restraints/cost considerations.
Broken tooth repair options at No Gaps Dental
Perhaps the most important point is to take immediate action as soon as you discover any sort of chip, fracture or break. Here at No Gaps Dental, we’re fortunate enough to have 15 central locations dotted in and around the Sydney metro area, so patients are never too far away from an emergency No Gaps dentist.
We will do all we can to get you out of discomfort and restore your smile and while (in the case of dental crowns or veneers) this can take several visits, we will always provide an intermediate solution such as a temporary dental crown so that you don’t have to worry.
We’re here to help so pick up the phone and call to schedule a same-day appointment on (02) 8806 0227 or book an appointment online.
Our highly skilled team will gladly assist in any dental issues you are currently having and answer any questions or concerns you might have surrounding your broken tooth repair options including state-of-the-art dental crowns. We look forward to meeting you and helping you to restore the form and functionality of your smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.