Having broken teeth was a major concern before modern dentistry. If a tooth was severely chipped or too painful, it was easier to just pull it out than to fix it. Only the rich could afford gold or wooden dentures to replace missing ones.  That is no longer the case in the modern world as dentistry has grown by leaps and bounds. That begs the question: How do dentists fix chipped, broken, or damaged teeth? Read on to find out.

• Dental Cap or Crown

If a large piece of your tooth has broken off or has a lot of decay, the dentist could put a cap or crown on it. First, the dentist will grind or file away the remaining tooth and finish it up with a crown. This tooth-shaped cap protects the tooth and improves its appearance. 

Crowns are made of any number of materials including porcelain, resin, ceramic, or metal, each of which has its own benefits. Metal crowns are known to be the strongest, but porcelain or resin crowns are the closest in appearance to natural teeth.

• Dental Veneers

Installing dental veneers is another option if a front tooth is broken or chipped off. A dental veneer is a shell of tooth-colored porcelain or resin composite material that covers the front of the tooth. This denser section replaces the damaged part of your tooth. When a veneer is bonded to your teeth, the shape, color and size will be restored. As a result, you will have your wonderful smile back.

• Bonding and Dental Filling

Dental filling is yet another procedure dentists use to give you your smile back. The dentist will attempt to fix the damage putting a special compound into the cleaned cavity. If the front of your tooth is damaged, the dentist will use a procedure called bonding. Since the damage is visible when you smile, that part would be covered with a composite resin that resembles the color of your teeth.

• Root Canal

Lastly, root canal is another option available for you, which is only applicable when you have an exposed pulp. The pulp is the root of a tooth which contains nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp is damaged, you are likely to feel toothache and sensitivity to heat or cold. The dentist will clean out the infected region of the tooth, then  fill the gap and seal it.

When you have a damaged tooth, visit a dentist as soon as possible to keep the damage from getting worse. You can set an appointment with Dr. Diana Dizik by calling 650 348 5424 to get the best treatment for your missing or damaged teeth.