Broken Tooth

Got Chipping?

 

Teeth are remarkably strong, but they can chip, crack or break. This can happen by biting down on something hard, a traumatic event, having cavities that weaken the tooth, or due to clenching / bruxism. When a tooth breaks, it may not hurt, but your tongue can usually feel the sharp area. If a large piece of the tooth breaks off, it can cause discomfort because the nerve inside the tooth may be damaged. If it is exposed to air, or hot or cold foods or drinks, it can be extremely uncomfortable.

 

At Woodbine Family Dental, our dentists can determine if the break was caused by cavities, clenching / grinding, or just incidental trauma and if the tooth’s nerve is in danger. Depending on the severity of the break, the tooth may need an inlay, onlay or crown. A damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment. Here at Woodbine Family Dental, we have a team of dentists who can evaluate and recommend the best treatment needed to restore your teeth!

 

 

 

Chipped Tooth

 

What can be done if you have a chipped tooth? There are a couple of different options for you depending on the size of the chip and where it is located in the mouth. One option would be cosmetic bonding – with this option, highly aesthetic bonding material would be applied directly to your tooth to repair the chip. Limitations to the bonding material do exist (for instance when the chip is too large, or if there are other cracks or fractures in the tooth, or if there is too much chewing force on the tooth)…in this case a porcelain veneer might be recommended.

 

At Woodbine Family Dental we will discuss the pros and cons of both and decide on the best option for you!