My tooth broke, can it be fixed?

If you have ever experienced a broken or chipped tooth, you’ll know the distress it can cause. Your first thought is likely to be ‘my tooth broke, can it be fixed?’ the answer is usually yes. There are a few factors that will determine whether the break can be fixed and how the repair will be done.

Tooth breaks and fractures fall into different categories. These categories determine how serious the break is and the method of repair that will be required.

• Craze lines
• Cusp fracture, a crack in the chewing surface of the tooth.
• Complete crack, a crack that runs from the top of the tooth to the root.
• Split crack, where the crack runs down the centre of the tooth to the root and a piece separates off but remains in the gum.
• Root fracture, where the break begins at the root and travels upwards.
• Complete break, where a piece of the tooth comes away and falls out of the mouth.

After assessing the damage to your tooth, your dentist may suggest one of the following methods to repair your tooth:

Crown – the tooth may or may not require a root canal, followed by a crown to cover and protect the remaining tooth.

Dental Veneer – For small chips and cracks a thin porcelain veneer can be placed over the surface of the tooth.

Filling – For small, uncomplicated breaks a filling may be able to stabilise the tooth.

Extraction – Should the break extend below the gum line or be particularly severe, an extraction may be required.  

At Alexandra Hills Dental, we can help you to stay calm, address any pain you may be having and find the best way to fix your broken tooth. Call us today to book your appointment on 07 3824 4488.