Treatment for Chipped Teeth
Chips, cracks, and fractures can lead to all kinds of issues that affect the health and appearance of your smile. If you experience a dental injury of any kind, it’s a good idea to visit Dr. C. Mike Meek and Dr. David J. Tasch as soon as possible. These Austin, TX dentists can treat tooth fractures and help restore the appearance and full function of your smile.
At 38th Street Dental, we have plenty of ways to repair damaged teeth. This may include porcelain veneers, a versatile cosmetic dentistry option for various dental problems. Let’s go over the problems caused by fractured teeth and what treatments are available.
Problems Caused by Chipped Teeth
If you have chipped teeth, you’re bound to experience cosmetic issues as well as dental health issues.
In terms of cosmetic problems, a chipped tooth or fractured tooth can leave a noticeable break in tooth structure. This is especially true of chipped front teeth. You may feel self-conscious about laughing and smiling around others as a result. Not only will your personal interactions be affected, but you may also face challenges in your professional life, especially if you have to deal with the public frequently.
As far as dental health goes, a chipped tooth means the tooth’s structure is negatively affected. Further fractures may be possible because you have a chipped tooth. Biting and chewing with a fractured tooth is often painful as well, and it increases your risk of developing a root canal infection.
Reattaching Chipped Portions of a Tooth
If you have had a tooth fractured that results in part of a tooth breaking off, it’s a good idea to hold onto that portion of the tooth. Preserve it in milk if possible, or water if no milk is available. If you come to our Austin dental practice soon enough, the portion of the tooth could be reattached.
Dental Bonding
For minor chips and cracks, dental bonding is the most common option. Dental bonding involves painting tooth-colored dental resin onto the affected portion of a tooth. This tooth-colored resin helps cover the fractured portion of the tooth, preventing further damage and while aesthetically masking the problem.
Porcelain Veneers
When a chip or crack is too serious for dental bonding, porcelain veneers is usually a good option to consider. These thin shells made of dental ceramic can be used to cover and conceal chips, cracks, and fractures that are visible on the front of a tooth. This is an ideal treatment for fractures that are still predominantly cosmetic in nature.
Dental Crowns
When the chip or crack seriously affects the structure of a tooth, a dental crown is the best option. Dental crowns are caps that are used to cover seriously compromised portions of a tooth’s structure. With a crown in place, the tooth’s strength is restored, allowing a person to bite and chew without experiencing discomfort.
What If a Tooth Cannot Be Repaired?
If a chip or crack is too serious to be repaired even with a crown, a dentist may recommend tooth extraction. Removing the tooth avoids the risk of a root canal infection. We can discuss various options for tooth replacement with you in greater detail.
Developing the Right Treatment Options for You
As you can see, there are many different ways that a fractured tooth can be fixed. During a visit to our Austin dental practice, we can assess your situation and determine the ideal cosmetic or restorative procedure for your needs.
Learn More About Treating Fractured Teeth
To learn more about treating chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth, be sure to contact our skilled cosmetic and restorative dentists. You can reach 38th Street Dental by phone at (512) 458-6222.