Finding A Great Dentist

What To Do If You Broke Your Tooth: Know Your Options

14 August 2015

Kenzi Thompson

Most people assume that their teeth are infallible and cannot break under virtually any circumstance. However, just like any other part of the body, if your tooth is hit in just the right way, it can break. This can be a traumatic accident, or simply biting something hard in the wrong way, and you will find yourself with a broken tooth. Before you panic and fear that your smile will never be the same again, keep in mind that there are different options available to you for broken tooth repair. Get to know some of these options so that you can ensure that you have the best looking smile possible (even after a broken tooth).

Dealing with Small Chips

Sometimes when you break your tooth, the damage may seem far worse than it is. Small chips in the enamel of your tooth can be quite simple to repair. Fillings are the simplest way to deal with a slightly damaged tooth, and your regular dentist can perform the procedure for you without the assistance of a specialist. 

Tooth-colored fillings made of a porcelain or composite material can be customized to match the color of your tooth almost exactly and will completely fill in the space where your enamel was broken off. This procedure for small chips will prevent the area from getting infected or developing a cavity as well, making it a health and cosmetic procedure.

Dealing with Major Damage

If you have serious damage to one or more teeth and there will not be a way for a filling to compensate for the tissue loss, you will need to look into other options such as dental veneers. Dental veneers are essentially cases or shells that cover the entire visible surface of your tooth (or teeth). 

These, like fillings, are made from porcelain or a composite resin that can be specially sculpted and colored to match the shape and color of your existing teeth. Veneers are cemented onto the remaining structure of the tooth.

While fillings can be placed in a single dental appointment, veneers do take more time. You will need to go in to the dentist to have an impression taken of your teeth. This will allow your dentist to properly design a fit for the veneer as well as shape the tooth to fit in with the overall structure of your other teeth. The final product will then be ready in several days or a few weeks. 

Now that you know some of the options available to you if you break your tooth, you can be sure that your smile is taken care of and properly maintained no matter what happens now or in the future. 

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