Crowns, Fillings, or Bridges? Treatment Options for a Broken Tooth

A broken tooth is never a good thing. You can break your tooth even with just a sudden bite on a piece of bone, ice, or even toast. One can also get a broken tooth from a sudden, strong blow to the face, such as from a punch or a projectile. Whatever caused your damaged tooth, the most important thing to do is see if the dentist could repair it. Fortunately, there are several options to treat your broken tooth.

Fillings

If a tiny piece of the enamel chipped off, it may take just a filling to repair the tooth. Using a dental filling to repair the tooth can help prevent the damage from worsening. It can also mend tiny cracks on the tooth. High-quality fillings are made of strong materials that have the same color as natural teeth.

Traditional dental fillings are usually made from a mixture of silver, zinc, tin, copper, and mercury. These are strong materials that are easily detectable. Most patients prefer modern composite fillings because these fillings are almost invisible. Dentists and patients find composite fillings aesthetically pleasing and effective in repairing chips and cracks.

Dental bridges

With a dental bridge, either side of the broken or missing tooth will have crowns. These supportive crowns hold the synthetic tooth in between. In this way, a dental bridge is truly a connector of teeth that restores the full function of the patient’s bite. It also supports the jawbone without using awkward partial dentures or invasive dental implants.

A dental bridge is also a less expensive way to replace a broken tooth. Dentists will choose a dental bridge if the tooth is severely damaged. If the tooth broke from the patient’s gumline, it may not be practical to save it. The dentist would have to remove the broken tooth’s root. Once the gum heals, an artificial tooth will fill the gap. A dental bridge is a quick option.

Dental crowns

If a large portion of the patient’s tooth broke off, a dental crown can be a good treatment option. To prepare the damaged tooth, the dentist will grind away the rough parts. The dentist will then take an impression of the tooth to serve as a pattern for the permanent dental crown. Once the dental lab finishes the permanent crown, the dentist will place it on top of the patient’s broken tooth.

A dental crown can restore the tooth’s appearance and protect it from future damages. Permanent dental crowns can be made from porcelain, resin, ceramic, metal, or porcelain that is fused to the metallic material. Resin and porcelain are popular because they are close to the color of the original tooth. The strongest, however, is the metal crown.

The treatment choice for your broken tooth is entirely up to you and your dentist

Once a tooth breaks, your oral health is at risk. The dentist must restore it based on the degree of damage. If the tooth must go, a dental bridge is the quickest, non-invasive way to restore the tooth. For chipping and light cracking, dental fillings can bring back the optimal look of the broken tooth. If a huge piece fell off the tooth, a dental crown can restore and protect it at the same time. Seeing your dentist right away for your broken tooth is crucial to maintain good oral health.

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