Human teeth are very strong, but they are not invulnerable. Continuous pressure can wear them down over time, making them more susceptible to cracking, chipping, or breaking. If decay is present, that weakens them further. Sudden trauma to the mouth can also cause a tooth to break.
Broken teeth can be very painful, and even when they are not, they can interfere with chewing or talking and pose oral health risks. Repair may be possible in some cases. It can be a complex procedure requiring premium dental hand piece parts. Here are some of the most common treatment options for broken teeth.
Crown
A crown is a prosthetic made to mimic the appearance and function of a natural tooth. It is sometimes applied over the top of the remnant of an irreparable broken tooth and cemented in place.
Bonding
Instead of creating a new artificial tooth, bonding involves fixing the existing one. Any chips or cracks are filled in with a plastic resin that is colored to resemble the tooth and bonds securely to its surface.
Extraction
Sometimes it is not possible to repair or restore the tooth, and the only option is to take it out. Dental professionals prefer to avoid this whenever possible, but sometimes it becomes necessary when there is extensive damage to the tooth occurring both above and below the gumline.
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Depending on factors such as the extent of the damage and the position of the tooth, sometimes it may be possible to extract it manually. Otherwise, the dentist has to refer the patient to an oral surgeon for an operation to extract the tooth, or what’s left of it.
Root Canal
A root canal is sometimes an alternative to extraction when the crack extends down into the pulp. The procedure involves removing the compromised pulp and backfilling the space with a material that is resistant to infection. This can help prevent the tooth from weakening further and restore some integrity to its structure.