Chipped a tooth on the sports ground or due to a fall? Or fractured a part of the tooth when biting hard on something? It is more common than you think. A chipped tooth might be a severe cosmetic concern as it is very prominent. But the good thing is, we have multiple treatment modalities to address the broken tooth. With advanced restorative and aesthetic dentistry, extracting the whole tooth or placing a single crown is not the only way to go anymore. Read along to know the different options of restorative dentistry and which one suits you the best.
Types of Broken tooth
There is always more than what meets the eye. Similarly, based on the level of tooth fracture, the treatment options will have to wary
- Chipped tooth or horizontal fracture - This is the most common type of sports/fall induced fracture. In some cases it might be superficial and in some it might involve the ‘pulp’ or the vital structure of the tooth. In such cases there will be pain.
- Cracked tooth - A vertical line runs through the line as a result of fracture due to high forces.
- Broken cusp - This is typical in the back tooth region. One part of the tooth is broken and has either fallen off or is still attached and is mobile. This might or might not involve the dental pulp.
- A Fractured root - The part of the tooth that is inside the gums has been fractured.
Here are all the treatment options that we can advise based on the above.
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Dental composite bonding
Composites are advanced restorative cements that stick to the tooth by more than one mechanism. They are bonded onto the tooth and hardened with an ultraviolet curing light. They are the best option for tooth fractures not involving the pulp because they provide the best aesthetic results. Here we have the advantage to recreate the tooth perfectly into its natural shape and colour. -
Dental Veneers
They are another aesthetic restorative dental option for minimal or superficial fracture lines. They are thin and are bonded onto the front surface of the tooth. You can even get veneers on the adjacent teeth for a complete smile makeover and symmetry. -
Full crowns
These are advised for deeper fractures when the pulp is involved. In such cases we cannot seal the outside of the tooth without involving the inside. The tooth is Root-Canal treated first, where the affected pulp is removed and cement is filled from the inside. Then a metal ceramic or zirconia crown is placed on to the tooth to replicate the proper form. This gives long lasting results. This is also the best treatment option for back teeth where the biting forces are high. -
Dental Implants
Implants are the best way to treat severe tooth fracture or root fracture cases. The tooth along with its fractured segments is extracted and a dental implant is placed in the socket either immediately or after bone healing. This gives the advantage of not disturbing the adjacent teeth. This is another long lasting option. -
Inlays/Onlays
In the fractures affecting the back teeth, where there is a single cusp fracture, we can bond the tooth with an inlay/onlay restoration.
A broken tooth is an unpleasant thing to live with. It either looks odd and makes you conscious each time you smile, or there is severe pain everytime something as simple as air and water touches it. Call us now and book an appointment to get your smile makeover done at the comfort of your place.
