Every day your teeth literally endure tons of pressure. Your teeth are the hardest structures in your body, including your bones. They are meant to last your entire lifetime, but under certain conditions, they are prone to damage. Personal habits or trauma can lead to a chipped tooth. A small chip may not seem much to worry about at the time, but that area now becomes more vulnerable to decay. Having the damaged area of your tooth repaired can prevent decay from attacking your tooth.

Repairing a chipped tooth is generally a simple process. If you have the piece that has broken off, it may be possible to bond it back to the tooth. When this is not the case, the chip can easily be repaired with composite resin. The missing portion of the tooth is reconstructed with a tooth-colored polymer and bonded to the damaged tooth. The resin is then smoothed down and polished, and the end result is a fully restored tooth.

Repairs to Cracked or Broken Teeth

Broken or cracked teeth can be repaired in many cases. The determining factor is the severity and placement of the break or crack. If the damage is above the gumline, the prognosis for repair is usually good. If the crack or breakage extends below the gumline, the tooth may need to be extracted.

Sometimes damage exposes the pulp, or nerve center, of the tooth. In these cases, if the tooth is otherwise salvageable, root canal therapy may be required to save it. This procedure entails removing the blood vessels and nerves that nourish the tooth and sealing off the root canal to prevent bacteria from entering. The tooth is then repaired and usually covered with a dental crown to further protect and strengthen it.

A tooth that is cracked or broken should be examined and repaired in a timely manner to prevent further damage. Neglecting to have it addressed can lead to more serious issues. If you have a tooth that has been damaged or chipped, contact Smiles in Malibu, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Perkins for repair.