There are several ways teeth can become damaged- from injuries, accidents, or simple everyday wear and tear. Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth are some of the most common injuries that can happen to our teeth. Once a tooth is damaged, it is not going to get better or repair itself. Intervention from a dental professional is necessary.
Whatever the cause, it’s important to address a broken tooth quickly, because the damage can worsen, necessitating more serious repairs. For example, a crack may begin above the gumline, but over time it will worsen, spreading to the pulp and root of the tooth. In these cases, the tooth may require a root canal, or it may be beyond repair, requiring an extraction and replacement, rather than a filling or crown.
If you have a broken or cracked tooth, don’t wait. Visit our Chelmsford practice as soon as possible to have your broken or cracked tooth evaluated and repaired.Â
Chipped Tooth Repair
Sometimes dental work is delayed because it’s considered cosmetic. However, repairing chipped teeth is about more than just feeling confident in the way your smile looks; a chipped tooth can also impact your overall oral health.Â
When a tooth is chipped, it affects the tooth’s integrity and causes it to become vulnerable to worsening conditions and larger chips. That’s why it’s important to treat any damage to a tooth as a dental health issue that should be addressed promptly.Â
Call us at 978-970-2089, so our dentists can evaluate your tooth and explain your repair options.Â
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can fill a small chip in an otherwise healthy tooth. We can repair a chipped tooth quickly and painlessly by applying a tooth-colored resin in our office. The finished result looks natural, making dental bonding ideal for front teeth.Â
Cracked Tooth Repair
While a chipped tooth is a surface problem, a crack in a tooth can cause internal damage if it extends to the center or pulp of the tooth. The tooth’s pulp is now exposed and susceptible to infection.
A cracked tooth is a fragile tooth. Cracks are likely to spread and worsen over time if not addressed immediately. If addressed quickly, cracked teeth can be a straightforward repair, but if left untreated, they can necessitate more serious treatments, including root canals or extractions.Â
If you’ve cracked a tooth, call our Chelmsford practice right away at 978-970-2089 to discuss your cracked tooth repair options.Â
Broken Tooth Repair
Broken teeth will not heal on their own and a professional repair is required. A broken tooth not only leads to pain and discomfort, but if left untreated, the break is likely to worsen.Â
The kind of repair needed for a broken tooth depends on the severity of the damage. When possible, we’ll repair the tooth in a way that preserves the healthy portion of the tooth. If not addressed promptly, the damage can spread, becoming so severe that the tooth may need to be extracted.Â
Quick treatment is essential when a tooth is broken. Call our office at 978-970-2089 right away to explore your broken tooth repair options.Â
Porcelain dental crowns
When repairing broken teeth, a porcelain crown may be needed. A crown allows your dentist to preserve the tooth’s root, while also protecting the rest of the natural tooth from any further damage. Because we custom make our crowns from porcelain, they match the look and color of your surrounding teeth, providing a repair that feels and looks natural.Â
Dental implants
Sometimes a broken tooth is damaged badly enough that the tooth’s root is also affected. In these cases, we may suggest an extraction and implant.
A dental implant is a replacement option that most closely resembles the form and function of your natural tooth. Because it also replaces the root of the tooth, it helps preserve not only the health of your teeth, but the health of your gums and bone.
If you have a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth, call our Chelmsford practice at 978-970-2089 right away.Â