There are four ways we can repair broken teeth depending on the position of the tooth and extent of the fracture. The dentist will be able to give you the best option after a clinical assessment.
A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. Veneers are thin shells created from porcelain that cover the whole front surface of the tooth, with a thicker section replacing the broken part.
A naturally coloured ‘composite resin’ material can be used in place of a veneer. This can be used for minor issues with the front teeth, like chipped or broken tooth corners.
Composite (white) fillings offer an aesthetic alternative to traditional amalgam ones as they can be blended to match your teeth. Composite fillings also support the remaining tooth structure, which discourages breakage and helps protect it again temperature changes.
Best of all, composite fillings allow more of your natural tooth structure to remain intact, which means you will have healthier teeth in the future.
When a tooth cracks, breaks, or is weakened, a crown can be placed over and around the existing tooth to protect it. Crowns are used when a filling isn’t sufficient to repair the decay. Crowns can be created with strong, natural-looking porcelain. An expertly crafted crown will restore the shape and size of your real tooth.
Porcelain (tooth coloured) inlays and onlays are restorations which are usually placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
An inlay fits within the confines of the teeth and an onlay covers the entire chewing surface of the tooth. These can either be made of plastic resin or porcelain.
The procedure involves removing decayed tooth structure or old fillings, preparing the tooth cavity, and taking an impression of the cavity to fabricate a custom-made inlay or onlay. Two visits are required to complete the treatment.
