One minute you’re chowing down on your favourite meal, and the next, you’re biting into a piece of your own tooth. It’s never nice finding out that you’ve broken a tooth, especially if you think that the only course of action is to see your dentist for an extraction.
Believe it or not, a broken tooth is not a cause for stress or concern. Your dentist can walk you through a range of options that might be suitable for your unique situation. You’ll be back smiling with full confidence in no time.
Fillings
You might think that a filling is only a suitable dental procedure for a cavity, but it can actually be useful for a broken tooth, as well. The dentist uses the restorative filling material to fix a cracked or broken tooth.
It’s painless, affordable, and relatively straightforward. Your dentist will talk you through the process, but their goal is to mold the filling material into the shape of the missing piece of your tooth.
Veneers
A broken tooth can significantly impact your self-esteem and confidence. If the break or crack is somewhere quite noticeable, then ask your dentist if veneers are right for you. Veneers are porcelain or composite resin shells that improve the appearance of your teeth. They are many dentists’ go-to option for addressing cosmetic teeth issues, such as permanent staining, gaps, chips, and cracks.
Dental Sealants
Do you have a cracked tooth? Then your dentist might recommend a dental sealant. Such a product is popular for fixing holes in teeth and protecting infected and broken teeth. They can also protect your teeth against teeth-damaging bacteria. Sealant is commonly placed on molars and premolars.
Bonding
If you only have slight damage to your teeth, then your dentist might bypass veneers, fillings, and dental sealants in favour of simple bonding. Bonding consists of composite materials shaped into your tooth to take the place of the missing piece.
A blue light then hardens it so that it’s as strong as your natural teeth for biting and chewing. Bonding is quick, easy, and uncomplicated for those minor chips and breaks.
Root Canals
Fillings, bonding, dental sealants, and veneers will not work for every instance of a broken tooth. Sometimes, a root canal is the best option when a broken tooth has led to an infection. Your dentist will remove the infection from the tooth and then place a crown over the top of the tooth to stop it from spreading. Crowns are often made of ceramic, metal, or porcelain, and are ideal for both decaying or broken teeth. Ask your dentist if root canals could be the best option for you.
When you hear that awful crunch after breaking a tooth, there’s no time to delay. The longer you leave a broken tooth, the more pain and discomfort you can be in. Make an appointment with your dentist to find out which of these options above will suit your broken tooth the best.
