Our Kent Dentist Breaks Down the Steps to Take If You've Cracked a Tooth

The sound and pain of cracking or chipping a tooth can be a truly frightening experience. If you’ve felt this before, you’re in the minority, as not everyone has had this misfortune. But fear not, as there are many ways to recover depending on the severity of the damage with the help of our Kent dentist at Choice Family Dentistry. Read below to learn more!

 

Repairable – Front Teeth

Whether you broke your fall with your front teeth (we're sorry this happened) or accidentally hit yourself with a champagne cork (you’ll laugh about it someday), chipping a front tooth can be alarming. The first time you saw your smile in the mirror, you probably felt a surge of panic. However, rest assured that 90% of front tooth damage is repairable. Here are some common solutions:

 

• Dental Bonding: A composite material is shaped to replace the missing parts of the tooth and then cured.

• Veneers: A porcelain cover is applied to the front of the tooth.

• Crowns: A porcelain cover encases the entire tooth.

 

So, don't worry too much about your chipped tooth—it's often fixable!

 

Irreparable – Any Tooth

If the damage to your tooth is so severe that the root is affected, more drastic measures may be needed. In some cases, the tooth may be unsalvageable and require extraction. However, if the tooth can be saved, a root canal and crown will be necessary. This is common with severely damaged molars. If the root can be repaired, you can keep your natural root and have a crown placed on top.

 

If the tooth is beyond saving, it will need to be extracted. You can then opt for a bridge or an implant to replace the missing tooth. A bridge involves crowning the adjacent teeth with a filler tooth firmly placed between them, while a dental implant replaces the tooth entirely with an anchoring screw.

 

What’s Next?

If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, schedule an appointment with our Kent dentist immediately. We will determine the best solution for your situation. The sooner you act, the better the chances of saving your tooth. Don’t wait—call our office today at 253-630-8686 to schedule your appointment.