Dental Procedures to Repair Your Cracked or Worn-down Tooth

Cracked or fractured teeth can occur for a variety of reasons, and it's important to seek treatment as soon as you notice a crack or fracture. Left untreated, these dental issues can lead to further complications, including infection. A chipped tooth can happen from biting down on hard food, breaking a tooth while eating something cold, or even from a fall or other accident. These breaks can make your teeth sensitive to temperatures and increase your risk of decay. If you have a cracked or worn-out tooth, your dentist can help you decide the best course of treatment for your broken tooth. You may want to consider the following:

Fillings

A broken tooth can be painful, but fixing it right away could mean the difference between losing your tooth and having a healthy smile again. Your doctor can repair your broken tooth with a filling made of a composite resin material that matches the shade of your teeth. Composite fillings are strong and can last for years before needing replacement. However, if you repeatedly bite down on hard objects such as ice, the fillings can become damaged and need repair. 

Crowns

Dental crowns are one of the most common dental procedures for treating a cracked or broken tooth. Crowns, also known as "caps," are dental restorations that are used to cover a damaged tooth and restore its function and appearance. It is custom-made from impressions taken of your teeth, so it fits snugly over your tooth and hides any chips, cracks, or other damage. The crown will blend right in with the rest of your smile so you can continue to show off your healthy teeth. However, crowns aren't just for repairing damaged teeth; they also can be used to add strength and support to a tooth after a root canal procedure. 

Veneers

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is placed over a tooth's front surface to resemble a natural tooth. This cosmetic procedure can repair cracked or broken teeth, disguise overlapping or crooked teeth, conceal discoloration, and even correct the appearance of minor gaps between teeth. Veneers are bonded to the teeth and require removing a small amount of enamel to be fitted properly. In as little as two visits, veneers can transform your smile and leave you feeling more confident about the way you look.

Root Canals

A root canal is a procedure designed to save a damaged or diseased tooth by removing its damaged inner pulp and replacing it with a biocompatible material. The treatment is often needed when the tooth's nerve becomes inflamed due to decay or when the tooth is damaged from trauma, and the pulp is affected as a result. In order to save and restore a tooth with a root canal, a dentist must remove the infection from the tooth's root and then seal it to prevent further damage from occurring.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for your dental treatments with the dentists at Signature Smiles, located in Louisville, give us a call at 502 326-1800 or visit our office today. We look forward to working with you soon!