A chipped or broken tooth can occur as a result of an accident or other trauma to the mouth. When you experience this kind of dental emergency, it is important to know what to do to minimize the damage to your mouth and teeth, and to increase the likelihood of a successful repair.
What To Do When You Break a Tooth
If you fall, are struck in the mouth, or experience a mouth injury due to a car accident or other situation, assessing the state of your teeth is important. Check to see if any teeth are loose or appear to be broken. If a tooth is loose or has been completely knocked out, it’s very important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Preserve the tooth by placing it in a cup of warm water or milk and take it with you. In some cases, the dentist can successfully restore the tooth to the socket.
If a tooth is just chipped or cracked, there is no need to save the broken pieces. The tooth will have to be reconstructed with dental bonding, veneers, or a dental crown.
Options for Repairing Chipped or Broken Teeth
When your tooth is chipped or broken, there are several options for restoration. These include:
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Dental bonding
Each of these options uses a different approach to restore your tooth to its original appearance. Some are more suitable to minor damage, while others are successful in restoring severely damaged teeth.
Dental bonding uses a composite resin to reshape chipped teeth to their original outlines. With veneers, a porcelain shell is placed over the front of the tooth to cover pitting, chipping, or cracks. Both these procedures are relatively noninvasive. Crowns are used for more severe damage, and cover the entire tooth. More invasive than either bonding or veneers, a crown requires extensive reshaping of the tooth. Our dentist will assess the damage and determine the best type of reconstruction for your individual needs.
To find out which treatment option is best for your chipped or broken tooth, call Georgian Dental in Barrie ON today for a consultation.
