Wounds are often worn as badges of honor. Some individuals view their chipped tooth as such, commemorating a win during a sports game or a sign of bravery for having endured an exciting event of one sort or another. For most people, a chipped tooth is a tooth in need of repair. Mint Dental provides a variety of options for restoring your damaged tooth back to its natural look.
The first step in repairing a chipped tooth is the examination. This will determine the extent of the chip and provide information regarding how much of the tooth is damaged. After a thorough examination, Dr. Antoinette Liles will make a recommendation for the most appropriate procedure for repairing the chip.
The way in which the tooth is repaired depends on the extent of the damage. If part of the tooth has been broken off and the piece is saved, it may be a matter of bonding the broken bit back on to the tooth. In another scenario, the broken part may need to be replaced by composite resin, which is bonded to the tooth, restoring it to wholeness. A severe chip or break may require a crown in order to preserve the integrity of the tooth.
Repairs to Cracked or Broken Teeth
The extent of damage also determines how a cracked or broken tooth will be repaired. In some instances, when the break or crack extends below the gum line, the tooth may not be salvageable. When a tooth can be saved, Dr. Liles will need to determine if the damage involves the nerve center of the tooth. If the crack or break extends into the nerve, root canal therapy may be necessary in order to save the tooth and restore its function. A crown is often recommended as the final step in saving a tooth so severely damaged.
Clean breaks that have no decay may be repaired by bonding the broken pieces back together. Bonding can also be used to repair cracks. The bonding material is placed on both sides of the broken or cracked tooth and essentially the parts are “glued” together. The bonding material produces a very strong, durable bond.
Sometimes the broken part of the damaged tooth needs to be built up. The missing tooth structure is replaced with white composite resin that matches the tooth color. When the damage is extensive, a crown may be recommended.
Many times a chipped, cracked or broken tooth can be repaired. If you have a damaged tooth, make an appointment with Mint Dental to have it mended.
