The Fix Is In: Treatment Options for Tooth Fractures

Whether caused by a vehicle accident, sports injury, serious fall, or an accident white biting and chewing, tooth fractures can lead to major problems with dental health and overall smile aesthetics. Here at Forney Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we have a number of restorative dentistry treatments that can rebuild damaged teeth and improve your smile.

Let's take a moment to consider the problems caused by fractures teeth and then look at different kinds of treatments available.

The Dangers of Tooth Fractures

In terms of dental aesthetics, a serious fracture of the tooth can lead to cosmetic flaws that make you self-conscious about smiling, laughing, and speaking, even around people you have known for years.

With regard to dental health, tooth fractures can result in serious cases of dental pain and tooth sensitivity when you bite and chew. It also increases the risk of root canal infections, which can be extremely uncomfortable and result in the spread of the infection in your mouth.

Dental Bonding for Minor Cosmetic Chips and Cracks

For very minor chips and cracks that are purely cosmetic, dental bonding is an ideal option. Dental bonding involves the application of tooth-colored resins directly onto a tooth that has been chipped or fractures. The resin is polished and blended with the tooth structure so the tooth damage is hidden from view.

Porcelain Veneers for Aesthetic Fractures

For more serious fractures that are still cosmetic in nature, porcelain veneers tend to be more ideal. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that fit over the fronts of the teeth. When in place, a porcelain veneer masks a flaw from view, making the tooth appear pristine and perfect.

Porcelain veneers are rather versatile, and they can also be used to address tooth discoloration, issues with tooth asymmetry, and minor spacing issues.

Inlays and Onlays for Serious Dental Damage

When a tooth fracture seriously impacts the structure of a tooth, the ideal option is a dental restoration of some kind. When the biting surface of a tooth has been seriously impacted, inlays and onlays are helpful. These types of dental restorations are much like dental fillings, but they are larger and can be used to replace the cusps of the teeth if needed.

Inlays and onlays come in tooth-colored and metal forms. The ideal option for you will depend on the tooth that has been fractures and the extent of the damage.

Dental Crowns for Severely Fractured Teeth

For major fractures that severely compromise the health and structure of a tooth, dental crowns are an ideal option. Dental crowns are caps that fit over a seriously compromised tooth. With a crown in place, the tooth is protected from further injury and harm. Patients can bite and chew again thanks to the crown in place.

Like inlays and onlays, dental crowns come in tooth-colored and metal forms. The ideal option for you will depend on the tooth affected, the prominence of the tooth, and other factors.

Contact Forney Family Dentistry & Orthodontics

For more information about treating tooth fractures and helping you have a smile that's healthy as well as beautiful, be sure to contact our team of cosmetic and restorative dentistry experts today. The team at Forney Family Dentistry & Orthodontics looks forward to your visit and discussing your treatment options in much greater detail.

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