Options to Repair a Broken Tooth

While a broken tooth might not feel like an emergency – particularly if it isn’t visible – this isn’t something that you want to leave for too long. The leftover tooth will be more vulnerable, and the root of the tooth could become exposed to bacteria. This could lead to a painful infection further down the line.

Thankfully, there are lots of options available to you to help save a tooth after a chip. First, your dentist will assess the extent of the damage and the cause.

For example, if the chip occurred around a filling, this could indicate a wider issue. Perhaps the tooth has become more brittle due to the presence of the filling.

And if you have chipped your tooth as a result of an injury, it would be important for your dentist to look at the health of the surrounding teeth, the roots and the jaw, as there may be hidden problems that haven’t yet become apparent.

Once we know the cause for the chip, we can then look at replacement and restoration options.

Options for repairing a broken tooth

There are a wide variety of treatments available to repair a broken tooth and your experienced dentist will be able to advise you on the best option to meet your needs. Think carefully about the long and short term implications of each option so that you can choose the right treatment for your needs. 

1. White fillings

White fillings can be used to repair a chipped, cracked, decayed, discoloured or misshapen tooth. White fillings are made from a composite material that is sculpted to fit the shape of your tooth and this is then set using an ultraviolet light. Once dried the composite can be shaped and polished so that it is indistinguishable from the natural tooth.

2. Inlays

An inlay is similar to a filling, but can be used for larger areas of damage and decay. An inlay is made of white ceramic or porcelain and due to the minimal preparation required you will be able to keep more of your natural tooth than would be possible with a crown.

3. Crowns

Crowns are the most common restoration for a broken tooth. A crown fits over the tooth, helping to strengthen and protect it. A crown can help to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile, enabling you to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.

4. Veneers

Veneers help to repair small chips and improve the appearance of front teeth. Veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that fit over the tooth in the same way a fingernail fits over your finger and they can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth in a very short time.

5. Extractions

There may come a point where a tooth becomes too damaged to be repaired or restored, in this case the dentist may suggest that the tooth is extracted. Once the tooth is extracted there are a number of different options to replace your missing tooth, including dentures, bridges and dental implants.

Choosing the right option for you

We don’t expect you to know which option is right for you, and we’ll guide you every step of the way. If you are nervous about treatment, it’s important to address this so that you don’t avoid treatment and allow the issue to become more serious.

To choose the right treatment option, we’ll first consider the cause and extent of the damage. If the tooth can be saved, we’ll help you to do everything you can to achieve this. But if the tooth is badly damaged, decayed and weakened, we might recommend extraction and replacing the tooth with a dental bridge. This could be a better option to help preserve the surrounding teeth.

If you are on a budget, we can recommend cost-effective treatment options such as white fillings. These are not as durable as treatments such as crowns and inlays, but they can provide protection to stop further damage.

The risks of doing nothing

If you choose to ignore a chipped tooth, you might be lucky and face no negative outcomes, but there is always the risk that something could go wrong.

- A chipped tooth means there is an increased risk of infection as the tooth root might become exposed to bacteria.

- The edges of the tooth could be very sharp, which means you might cut your cheeks and tongue accidentally.

- It can impact your bite and cause you to favour chewing on the opposite side. If this happens, you might experience premature wearing of those teeth.

- The impact that caused the chip may have shattered the root of the tooth, which could lead to a painful infection and tooth loss in the future. 

As you can see, it’s far better to tackle this problem head on so you can feel confident in the repair. If you would like to find out more about repairing a broken tooth, do not hesitate to call Leigh Dental Centre today on 01702 472929. Our restorative dental team will help you to choose the right option for your needs.