A broken tooth is a dental emergency, even if it might not seem like a very big deal at the time. You don’t have to be in extreme pain for a damaged tooth to lead to bigger, more serious, oral health complications. At Impressions Dental in Chandler, AZ, we want to hear from you if you have a broken tooth so we can assess the situation, get you in the office right away if necessary, and make the repairs to keep your smile strong and healthy.
The What and the How of a Broken Tooth
There are all kinds of broken teeth, including a chipped tooth, damaged veneer, broken molar, lost filling, and broken crown. The severity of the break will determine the kind of repair you need, but it’s your Chandler dentist’s job to make this call – don’t try to diagnose your own situation and whether you need a dentist’s eye and hands on the problem.
Your dentist will also want to know how your tooth broke because the source of the problem will affect treatment. Being in a car accident or suffering a sporting injury are very different than deteriorating dental work or a tooth that breaks because you grind your teeth at night. It’s important to know if you need a repair for the broken tooth as well as a preventive measure to prevent future broken teeth.
Dental Restorations for a Broken Tooth
Some of the most common repairs for a broken tooth include the following treatments:
- Tooth-colored filling: Minor tooth breaks are easily fixed with a tooth-colored filling make of durable composite. This stabilizes the tooth structure, prevents further breaks, and stops bacteria from getting into the tooth and causing more severe problems.
- Porcelain crown: A tooth that has a large break that cannot be repaired with a filling are often better served with a customized porcelain crown that covers the whole tooth. Customized in size, color, and shape, the crown looks natural and protects the tooth from future complications.
- Inlay or onlay: If a crown is too big of a repair for a broken tooth but a filling might not be enough, an inlay or onlay – often referred to as a partial crown – can be customized to fit your tooth, stabilize, and fix the damage.
- Dental bonding: When a tooth is broken and the problem is purely cosmetic, it can often be corrected with easy, fast, dental bonding. This treatment is non-invasive and can be done in about 30 minutes in the dentist’s office.
- Tooth extraction: A tooth extraction is always a last resort for your Chandler dentist. The goal is always to try and save the natural tooth. If this is not possible, extraction will be done, but your dentist will make sure that you have a dental restoration lined up to fill in the hole the tooth leaves behind, whether a dental implant, dental bridge, or otherwise.
Cost Factors for Fixing a Broken Tooth in Chandler
Teeth are incredibly strong but breaks happen and there are many cost factors that come into play for emergency or general dental repairs, including:
- Whether it is a dental emergency
- The severity of the break
- Location of the tooth
- Repair(s) needed
- Materials used for the repair
- Dental office location
Do not avoid the emergency dentist because you are concerned about repair costs. There is always a manageable way to finance your oral health care. What’s most important is getting your tooth fixed right away so you can avoid additional, more invasive, and more costly repairs later.
Get Emergency Dentistry for a Broken Tooth in Chandler, AZ
If you have a broken tooth, contact Impressions Dental in Chandler, AZ, to find out if you need to be seen right away. Call us now so we can restore your oral health.