When your tooth enamel becomes chipped, cracked, or broken, it’s important to seek cracked tooth repair as soon as possible. Left untreated, damaged teeth can lead to serious dental problems, such as infection, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. At URBN Dental, we offer comprehensive dental care, including dental fillings, dental crowns, and root canal to fix your broken or chipped tooth.
Our experienced dentists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your specific needs and goals. We offer a variety of cracked teeth repair options, including dental bonding, dental crowns, dental veneers with porcelain or tooth-colored composite resin, and even dental implants. We offer personalized treatments to fix your chipped or cracked tooth and save your teeth from complete loss.
URBN Dental has emergency dental clinics led by highly-skilled emergency dentists in Uptown Houston, Midtown Houston, and Montrose. If you’re in or around River Oaks or Highland Village, please visit our Uptown Houston dental clinic, located a short drive from the Galleria shopping mall. We will fix your damaged tooth using the least invasive options.
If you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, don’t wait to fix a chipped tooth. Contact URBN Dental today to schedule an appointment.
What is a Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth is a tooth that has been fractured or broken. The most common cause of chipped teeth is an injury to the mouth, such as being hit in the face with a ball. Chipped teeth can also be caused by biting down on hard objects, such as ice cubes. Symptoms of a chipped tooth include pain, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and a sharp feeling when biting down. Treatment for a chipped tooth depends on the severity of the injury.
Causes of Chipped Teeth
Just like any other part of your body, your teeth are susceptible to injury. And while a minor chip might not seem like a big deal, it can lead to serious oral health problems down the road. Here are some of the most common causes of a chipped tooth.
- Accidents: One of the most common causes of a chipped tooth is an accident. Whether you’re playing sports, slip and fall, or get hit in the face, an accident can easily lead to a chipped or broken tooth.
- Bruxism: Bruxism is a condition where you grind or clench your teeth, typically during sleep. Over time, this can lead to a chipped tooth or cracked teeth.
- Chewing on hard objects: Chewing on hard objects, like ice, hard candy, or even your fingernails, can put stress on your teeth and cause a chipped tooth or broken tooth.
- Age: As you age, your teeth may become more brittle and susceptible to chipping, increasing the risk of a chipped tooth while eating.
- Acidic foods and drinks: Foods and drinks with high acidity levels can soften your tooth enamel and lead to a chipped or broken tooth.
Signs & Symptoms of Chipped or Broken Teeth:
- You feel a jagged or sharp edge on your tooth with your tongue.
- You can see visible cracks or chips in your tooth.
- you have a visibly cracked tooth, especially if the front tooth is cracked.
- You have pain when you bite down on the affected tooth.
- You have sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
- You have swelling or inflammation around the affected tooth.
How to Fix a Chipped Tooth?
Your tooth is strong, but it’s not unbreakable. If you chips or cracks a tooth, it’s important to see your dentist right away. A small chip may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to bigger problems. Bacteria can enter through the crack and cause an infection. The good news is that fixing a chipped tooth is fairly simple if the crack isn’t deep.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth. This creates a barrier that helps to protect the tooth from bacteria and decay. Dental sealants can be applied in just one visit to your dentist and they usually last for several years.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure where a tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the tooth and then hardened with a special light. This resin is used to fill in chips or cracks, and it can also be used to change the shape or color of a tooth. Bonding usually takes one visit to the dentist and the results usually last for several years.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are used to fill in cavities or to repair cracked or chipped teeth. Fillings are made of different materials, such as gold, amalgam (a mixture of metals), or composite resin (a tooth-colored plastic), and they can be applied in one visit to the dentist.
How to Fix a Cracked Tooth or Fractured Tooth?
A cracked tooth or fractured tooth can be a real pain, literally. If your dental crack is deeper than a minor chip, you may need more invasive treatments. But there are two ways to fix a chipped tooth, fractured tooth, or front tooth with minimal discomfort and complications – dental crowns.
Dental Crown
A dental crown is basically a false tooth that is placed over the damaged tooth. It is usually made out of porcelain or ceramic and is made to match the color of your natural teeth. The crown is placed over the damaged tooth and then cemented into place. Once it is in place, it will protect the damaged tooth from further damage and will also restore the tooth to its original shape and size.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is when the dentist removes the damaged tissue from inside the tooth and then fills the tooth with a special material. This material will protect the tooth from further damage and will also help to restore the tooth to its original shape and size.
What If The Entire Tooth Breaks?
If you have a tooth that breaks, it can be a very scary experience. Depending on how much of the tooth breaks, you may be able to save it with a dental crown or other dental work. However, if the entire tooth fractures, you may need to replace it with a dental implant.
Dental implants are artificial teeth that are placed in the jaw to replace missing teeth. They are made to look and function just like your natural teeth. Dental implants are a great option for replacing a missing tooth because they are strong and durable. They also don’t require special care, you just brush and floss them just like your natural teeth.
If you are missing a tooth, or have a tooth that needs to be replaced, talk to your dentist about dental implants. They will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for this procedure and answer any questions you may have.
