Although tooth enamel is the most durable material in the body, it can still break from trauma or biting down on something hard. If a tooth already has large fillings or decay, it is even more susceptible to fracture.
The treatment to repair your broken or chipped tooth depends on the degree of damage and can range from no treatment to root canal therapy.
Treatment Options
-
If only a small portion of your tooth enamel is broken, we can repair it using a composite (white) filling. We custom match the color of your tooth so that the damage isn’t noticeable. Fillings are adhered to the tooth using powerful bonding agents and are cured with a light. In many situations, fillings can last a long time. Typically, the smaller a filling, the longer it lasts. Large fillings in high-impact areas (like the edges of your teeth) tend to fail much more quickly.
-
If most of your tooth is damaged from trauma, grinding or decay, we can repair it using a dental crown. Crowns are made of porcelain materials that are customized to match the color of your surrounding teeth and look just like your original tooth. It “caps,” or covers the entire tooth, effectively reinforcing and strengthening the tooth. If the nerve is not damaged due to decay or the fracture, a crown can last a very long time. If designed and cleaned properly, they can even last a lifetime.
Getting a crown usually takes two visits. After reviewing an x-ray, the dentist will comfortably prepare the tooth for the crown, take an impression and make a temporary crown that you can wear for a few weeks while the final crown is made at the laboratory.
CEREC 3-D Technology
In our Buckhead location, we have invested in CEREC 3D technology, which allows us to make crowns in our office in a single visit. We use digital technology to take the impression, which allows us to mill and fabricate your crown the same day. We still use the lab for many situations, but much less frequently now that we have CEREC 3D technology. -
A dental veneer is similar to a crown but only covers the visible surface of the tooth. It is thinner than a crown and requires less preparation. Veneers are made using the same process as a crown. Dental veneers are also used to improve your smile cosmetically. We can permanently whiten the teeth, close spaces or even change the position of the teeth using veneers. Veneers are the procedure of choice for many celebrities and patients alike to dramatically improve the appearance of their teeth.
-
If a chip or break exposes the nerve of the tooth, then a root canal will be required. If your tooth is already hurting or has changed color, you will probably need a root canal. Once a nerve is exposed, it must be removed using root canal therapy to avoid the tooth becoming abscessed.
A root canal consists of removing the nerve from inside the tooth, shaping the canals, disinfecting them, and filling them with a rubber material to seal off the tooth. This effectively allows us to save your tooth. After a root canal, typically, you will need a crown because root canal treated teeth are weaker than healthy teeth.
Root canals have a reputation for being uncomfortable, but this is not entirely true. A root canal can be a relatively easy process. The exception to this (and why they have such a bad rap) is when someone waits until the tooth is extremely painful. In these situations, it is more difficult to numb the tooth, and sometimes the patient even requires sedation to undergo the procedure comfortably.
