How to Fix a Cracked Tooth? Keeping Your Smile Looking Good
If your tooth is cracked, it can be repaired to ensure its continued health and functionality.
There are several options for restoring a broken or cracked tooth, such as fillings, bonding, inlays/onlays, veneers and dental crowns.
Your Leichardt dentists will help you decide which option is best for you. Learn more about how to fix a cracked tooth using the treatments available at My Local Dentists Leichhardt.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?
Broken teeth do not typically constitute a dental emergency. However, if a large portion of the tooth is missing, you are in pain, or your mouth is bleeding profusely, you should visit an emergency dentist immediately.
Furthermore, if you have damaged dental restorations, such as crowns, inlays/onlays or veneers, we suggest you contact an emergency dentist at our clinic for further advice.
Fixing a cracked tooth with dental treatments
Dentists use several treatments to repair cracked or damaged teeth.
The most suitable treatment for your situation depends on various considerations, including the extent of the damage, where the tooth is in the mouth and your preferences.
To fix a cracked tooth, you must visit a dentist for advice.
Fillings
Dental fillings are used to fix broken, chipped, or decayed teeth. Traditionally, dental fillings were highly visible silver amalgam.
Nowadays, plastic fillings are the preferred choice for modern dentistry.
Referred to as composite fillings, they are made of a tooth-coloured resin applied to the tooth’s surface and hardened with a high-intensity light.
Composite fillings are inexpensive for anyone who wants a better cosmetic result than silver amalgam fillings, although they are not as hard-wearing as amalgam.
Bonding
Dental bonding can help fix chipped or cracked teeth and make you smile again.
It’s a noninvasive process that applies tooth-coloured composite resin to tooth enamel to cover the damage.
The results look natural, but bonding is probably not a suitable treatment if a tooth has extensive damage.
Inlays/Onlays
Another option to restore a broken tooth is with an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations produced outside the dental office and bonded by the dentist to the tooth. An onlay covers more extensive damage and is placed over the tooth cusps (the points on the back teeth), whereas inlays typically repair damage and are placed inside the cusps.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown, a tooth-shaped restoration custom-fitted to a problem tooth, is placed on the tooth to restore its normal function and appearance.
Crowns are made from various materials, including porcelain, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), metal alloys (including gold), and zirconia. These are all suitable materials if you are considering fixing a cracked tooth so it lasts.
Dental crowns are versatile and placed over the tooth to add strength and support. Additionally, they can be used as artificial teeth in a dental implant or bridge to replace missing teeth.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are comprised of ultrathin porcelain shells or composite resin shells bonded over teeth. They improve tooth whiteness by covering flaws such as cracks, chips, and abnormal colour. They are popular with patients because they are durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain.
How to Fix A Cracked Tooth – The Takeaway
Accidents can occur at any time and result in chipping or breaking teeth.
In most cases, there’s no need to visit an emergency dentist for immediate treatment unless you are in pain.
However, if a large portion of the tooth has broken off or you’re bleeding from the mouth, then it’s regarded as a dental emergency.
It’s always a good idea to visit your dentist promptly if you have a cracked or broken tooth, as ignoring it can worsen matters and lead to more severe dental problems.
Fixing Cracked Tooth in Leichhardt
If you have a cracked or broken tooth, our experienced dentists can help.
At My Local Dentists Leichhardt, we stay current on the latest dental procedures, technology, and treatments to provide our patients with the most comfortable experience and fastest recovery times.
Call us at (02) 9171 0840 today for an appointment.
We are located at Shop 48, Leichhardt Marketplace Shopping Centre, 122-138 Flood Street in Leichhardt.