A chipped or cracked tooth can happen suddenly—when playing sports or biting into a sandwich. Sometimes, the damage can also occur over time due to decay or an abscessed tooth. Since chipping or cracking can happen for various reasons, dentists have developed specific treatments to restore your tooth's health and natural look. If you ever sustain a chipped tooth, you'll know which treatment to expect. 

How Do Dentists Repair Damaged Teeth? 

1. Recontouring

Dental recontouring is used when patients have a minor crack on the surface of a tooth. Your dentist will grind the chipped area away and then smooth it out. It's one of the simplest procedures available, causing no discomfort, and only takes up to 30 minutes to complete. 

2. Bonding

Also known as a filling, dentists rely on bonding when the crack is still small, but too large for recontouring. They'll clean the chipped tooth as they would during your biannual appointments. Then, they'll apply a composite resin to the crack, filling it. The resin itself is made to be the same color as your tooth, so the results are natural. After filling the crack, they will use an ultraviolet light to harden and shape the resin. 

3. Veneers 

The front teeth are the most commonly chipped or cracked. Porcelain veneers are used to repair them. In your first appointment, a thin layer of the enamel will be removed to fabricate veneers that match the damaged tooth's shape and color. During the second appointment, your dentist smooths the tooth's surface with a liquid solution before attaching the veneer using dental cement, which will be hardened by an ultraviolet light. 

4. Crowns 

Some cracks are thick enough to cause a tooth to break or become deeply fractured. Usually, these cracks occur due to the damage done by tooth decay. However, the affected tooth can still be saved. During the first appointment, a dentist will remove any decay and file the tooth down to where the fracture ends. An impression of the affected tooth will be taken and used to create a crown that fits seamlessly and comfortably. At the second appointment, the crown will be cemented to the tooth. 

5. Root Canal

If a crack exposes the tooth's nerves and blood vessels, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause infections. To protect your oral health, dentists will perform a root canal. The tooth's pulp will be removed, hollowing it out, and sealing it to prevent bacterial infections. Depending on the crack's size, they'll use either a filling or a dental crown to cover the damaged tooth. 

For nearly 30 years, Martin & Rutledge Family Dentistry has maintained and restored their patients' smiles. Their dentists provide a relaxing atmosphere and comprehensive dental procedures. To provide the best care to the most people in the Gulf Shores, AL, area, they also offer CareCredit to patients, allowing them to pay for treatments in installments. For more information on their services, visit their website. To schedule an appointment, call (251) 968-4446.