Dentists have a variety of ways that they can repair a broken tooth. A tooth might break as a result of trauma to the face during physical activities or an accident. It can also be caused by biting on something hard. That usually occurs when a tooth has already been weakened by tooth decay.
Fillings are one of the more affordable and least ianvasive ways to restore a broken tooth. It does not require making alterations to the tooth, and repairs can be completed during a single visit. Dental fillings are more likely to be used to treat minor breaks and chips, but they are sometimes also used to address severe breaks.
The severity of the damage to a broken tooth affects how the dentist decides to go about using fillings to restore it. If the tooth has been badly damaged by the decay, the dentist might recommend performing a root canal before rebuilding the tooth with a filling.
The most common types of fillings that have been historically used by dentists are silver amalgam fillings. These restorations are mostly used to treat cavities and tend to be quite durable, lasting as long as 10 years.
However, these silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, and they have a grey color that makes them stand out. Composite bonding has become increasingly popular over the years. These types of fillings are made out of mixtures of glass and plastics, and they can be color-matched with the rest of the patient’s teeth. It means teeth that have been restored with composite bonding do not look any different from the rest of the patient’s teeth.
Prior to treating a broken tooth with a filling, the dentist will remove damaged teeth material from around the tooth. If the tooth’s pulp chamber has been compromised by the injury, the dentist will perform a root canal to remove the nerves and other soft tissues from the area.
The filling will then be applied to the tooth. Fillings have a putty-like feel to them, so it is easy to mold them as desired. The material typically hardens when it makes contact with air or saliva. If composite resin is used, a curing light will be used to harden the filling material.
The entire process takes about an hour to restore a broken tooth with filling, and the patient gets to leave the clinic with their smile restored. If it turns out composite bonding is not the most effective way to treat the patient’s injury, the dentist might recommend other treatments, like veneers or crowns.
A broken tooth leaves you vulnerable to infection when left untreated. Call or visit our La Mesa clinic to learn more about how our dentist can repair broken teeth with treatments like the application of filling or composite bonding.
Request an appointment here: https://www.maycerdental.com or call Maycer Dental at (619) 461-6040 for an appointment in our La Mesa office.
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