Recognizing The Benefits of Dental Implants

When you have a broken tooth, you have several options for handling the problem. The best way to choose between the different options is to consider the amount of damage that was done to the tooth.

Dental Bonding

When the damage is minor, such as a chipped tooth, then dental bonding is a good choice. Dental bonding is primarily used when most of the tooth is intact and the dentist is not worried about the structural integrity of the tooth or enamel.

To start, the dentist applies a dental resin that is color-matched to your existing enamel. The dentist then shapes it to resemble the missing portion of your tooth, before using an ultraviolet light cure to harden the material. Once the resin hardens, the dentist will make any further adjustments, such as smoothing out the surface or trimming off excess resin.

Dental Crown

If you are missing a good portion of your tooth, then a dental crown is a viable option. A dental crown is a cap that goes over your remaining portion of the tooth to protect the enamel and root system from further damage.

The dentist starts the process by making a mold of your mouth, so the crown will match your existing teeth in shape and size. In some cases, the dentist will make the crown in their office or they hire an outside lab to handle the work. Generally, the crown is made from porcelain, metal, or a composite resin that is color-matched to your existing enamel.

However, before the crown is applied, the dentist will grind down any sharp or misshapen pieces so the cap with fit securely over the tooth. To finish the process, the dentist uses a special glue to adhere the crown to the broken tooth.

Remove and Replace

Unfortunately, if a larger section of your tooth is broken, then repairing the tooth may no longer be an option. In this situation, removing the remaining portion of the tooth and replacing it with an implant can be a more viable solution.

The implant is comprised of a metal post and a fake tooth that looks similar to a dental crown. An oral surgeon will need to remove the remaining portion of your tooth and then place the metal post into your jawbone. After the site has had some time to heal, a dentist attaches the new tooth.

A broken tooth is not a pleasant dental experience, but you do have repair options for handling the situation. However, before you choose a specific method, you need to consult a dentist like Nitz Nathan D D MD so he or she can evaluate your situation and offer their recommendations for repairing your broken tooth.