Broken Teeth

Broken teeth can cause you panic and distress but no need to worry there are always options to restore your tooth!

Although the enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body, its strength has limits. Falling, receiving a blow to the face, or biting down on something hard -particularly if a tooth already has some decay can cause a tooth to chip or break.

If your tooth is chipped or broken, see your dentist as soon as possible. Leaving a broken tooth could cause further damage or it could become infected meaning the need for more extensive work and may result in losing the tooth.

Treatment for a broken tooth will depend on how badly it is damaged. If only a small piece of the tooth has broken off, the repair is usually quite simple. A badly broken tooth may require a more a more complex treatment option.

One option to repair a broken tooth would be to have a filling. There are two main types of fillings; amalgam and composite. Amalgam is a silver metal filling which contains mercury. Composite is a white filling material which is bonded to the tooth. It comes in a variety of shades to match your natural tooth colour.

If your tooth is severely broken and does not have enough tooth structure left to withhold a filling your dentist may recommend having a crown. There are different types of crowns available. There are gold crowns, porcelain bonded to metal and all –ceramic crowns. Gold crowns may not be popular because of its appearance but they are known for their strength and durability. All-ceramic crowns are considered to be the best match with your own natural teeth. The transparent colour and lifelike shape ensures that it is unlikely to be noticed amongst your own natural teeth.

If you have a broken tooth phone your dentist and they will be able to give you all the treatment options available or book an appointment online.