Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

Different Options For Dealing With A Broken Tooth

16 February 2016 by Charlotte Beck

When you break a tooth, you need to deal with it in a timely manner. Leaving a tooth broken will cause you unnecessary pain and the site of the break is a portal for bacteria to cause an infection. However, the type of procedure you choose will depend on the amount of damage done, so you need to know your options.

Dental Bonding

For a minor break, such as a chipped tooth, dental bonding is a good choice. With this method, a dentist will cover the chipped portion with a composite resin that is tooth colored to help hide the damage.

To start this process, the dentist will need to smooth out the edge of the break. Instead of using a drill to grind the edge, the dentist will use a process known as air abrasion. This process involves highly pressurized air that contains aluminum oxide particles. The air brushes away any rough spots that will hinder the composite material from adhering to the surface of the tooth.

After the edges are smooth, the dentist will apply the composite resin. Since this material is also moldable, the dentist can sculpt it to resemble the missing portion of your tooth. Once the resin is sculpted, the dentist will sand down and polish the surface of the tooth to help conceal any seams so that it is difficult to see where the repair was done.

Cap

If you are dealing with a larger break, a cap is usually a better option. When a larger portion is gone, the stability of the tooth is compromised, so you need a new way to strengthen it. The cap acts as a new layer of enamel, which adds the strength you need while also hiding the damage.

The process of getting a cap is a little more time consuming than dental bonding, because the dentist needs to create a facsimile of your tooth to cover the damage. Some dentists start by taking a mold of your mouth and use it to create a porcelain cap in an offsite lab.

To speed up the process, some dentists have a machine that uses a digital image of your mouth to create a ceramic copy. The dentist then uses this copy to create a porcelain cap in their office.

Once the dentist has the cap, he or she will clean up the edges of the broken tooth and then test fit the cap to make sure it fits properly. After they are sure it will fit right, the dentist will use dental glue to secure the cap over your tooth.

Dealing with a broken tooth quickly can help you avoid pain and an infection. For this reason, you need to know which options are available, so you can pick the right one for your dental needs. Visit a dentist in your area like Artistic Dentistry by Gerard Wasselle, DMD for more information.

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