When a tooth is chipped or cracked, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Please note: If you are also experiencing any significant pain or discomfort in the affected tooth, then the issue is classed as an emergency. Call for out-of-hours care on 0161 476 9651.
Minor cases of chipped or cracked teeth still warrant professional evaluation. The damage may not have compromised the enamel, but slight chips can still create uncomfortable sensations when you bite or chew, especially if the tooth is catching the soft palate.
Aesthetics wise, the appearance of a chipped tooth can also impact your smile. Non-invasive treatments such as composite bonding can often repair the chip in just one visit.
Over time, there is also the possibility that a chip or crack can worsen, which is why it’s also important to address minor damage promptly.
For instance, it may be the case that the crack or chip runs deeper than it appears. This could mean there are exposed nerves and you could be at risk of infection.
By booking a dental appointment without delay, your dentist can look to mitigate the damage with the aim of saving the tooth.
What can be done about a broken tooth?
Did you find us because you’ve been Googling the likes of ‘Cracked tooth repair Liverpool’ or ‘Chipped tooth repair Liverpool’?
Thankfully, there have never been more ways to address cracked or chipped teeth!
When you visit our Liverpool dentists for a consultation, we may advise on any of the following treatment options depending on the severity of the damage.
Composite bonding
If your dentist determines the damage is purely cosmetic, then composite bonding offers a speedy and non-invasive way to address minor cracks or chips.
Composite is the same material used for fillings and works equally well to repair cracked or chipped teeth. It benefits from being an additive process, meaning your dentist adds the composite onto the tooth before curing it with a light, avoiding the need for any invasive or painful procedures.
Pros: Can offer a same-day repair for minor damage to the teeth, with various techniques such as edge bonding available.
Cons: Composite bonding is designed as a semi-permanent solution with a typical lifespan of 5-7 years. At this point, the repair may need to be redone.
Dental veneers
If you are unhappy with the look of your teeth as a whole, dental veneers can also be used to address cracks or chips.
Offering a complete smile transformation, dental veneers are a custom made from composite or porcelain. Veneers sit on top of your natural teeth to instantly transform their shape, size and shade based on your aesthetic preferences.
Your dentist may also suggest dental veneers to protect teeth that are at risk of chipping or cracking. That’s because veneers create a physical barrier which can shield your teeth from further damage.
Pros: Can solve minor damage by giving you a Hollywood smile, which can also address other cosmetic aspects you may be unhappy with. Veneers can also be used as a protective measure, with the results also customised to each patient.
Cons: Dental veneers require a higher financial investment. A thin layer of enamel will need to be removed to be able to fit the veneers on top of your natural teeth.
Dental crowns
When the chip or crack is considered more significant, the tooth may require a crown.
Dental crowns are essentially a cap which sits on top of the tooth structure. The natural tooth is filled down and reshaped so that the crown can be secured into place. The finished crown is designed to mimic both the function and look of a real tooth. It is visible from above the gumline.
Pros: Dental crowns look to save as much as the natural tooth as possible to avoid extraction. The roots of the natural tooth remain in place which helps prevent bone loss. Also, dental crowns are cheaper than dental implants.
Cons: Multiple appointments are required to fit a crown. The procedure isn’t reversible as the natural tooth structure has to change to be able to accommodate the crown. While rare, there is always a chance that a dental crown can dislodge.
Root canal treatment
If the damage is significant you may need a root canal as an alternative to extraction.
Examples of where a root canal may be needed include when there are deep cracks which have exposed the pulp. Or, where there is severe tooth decay, infection, abscess or persistent pain.
During a root canal, your dentist will remove the tooth’s pulp. The remaining space will then be cleaned and filled. While root canals are an invasive procedure, they do at least look to restore the appearance and function of the tooth.
Pros: Offers an alternative to extraction in cases of severe damage or infection. With the proper care, the restored tooth can potentially last a lifetime.
Cons: While less invasive than surgical extraction, root canal treatments can require a few days to recover from.
Extraction and replacement with implant or bridge
Unfortunately, if your dentist determines that the tooth cannot be saved it will require extraction.
When a tooth is removed, you not only lose the ability to chew properly but you can also experience bone loss. For that reason, replacing the missing tooth with a dental implant is highly recommended as soon as the area has healed. Normally, this is around 10 weeks following the extraction.
A dental implant can also be used to hold a bridge in place, which is ideal when you are missing one or more teeth.
Pros: An implant or bridge will give you the required function so that you can still chew on the affected side. Implants offer a highly realistic look and also help prevent bone loss.
Cons: Dental implants are expensive meaning you may need to explore alternative options if not within budget.
Causes of chipped teeth
Teeth can suffer chips or cracks for a number of reasons.
One of the most common causes is due to accident or trauma, such as receiving a blunt force to the mouth. Beyond injuries, contact sports can also damage your teeth which is why dentists often recommend wearing a mouthguard.
While enamel is considered to be the hardest substance in the body, it is not immune to chipping or breaking, including due to biting on hard objects. For instance, boiled sweets not only give your teeth a sugar bath, but biting down on them can cause a broken tooth. Likewise, if you use your teeth as tools (i.e. to open packages or bottles), then this can also cause teeth to crack or chip.
Bruxism, which involves grinding your teeth in your sleep can also exert uneven force on the teeth. As a result, you can end up damaging your teeth in your sleep including cracking the enamel.
Finally, some teeth are more prone to cracking due to being weakened. Poor dental habits and nutritional deficiency can all weaken the teeth which ultimately can result in cracked teeth.
Diagnosis of a broken tooth
If you have sustained any damage to a tooth, you may already be experiencing some common symptoms such as sensitivity to hot or cold.
Another obvious sign of a cracked or chipped tooth is feeling any unusual rough or sharp edges on the surface of the tooth. Depending on the location of the affected tooth, you may even be able to see that the tooth looks misshapen.
To tell for certain whether or not the tooth is broken, you will need to visit a dentist. It can be really helpful to report any symptoms you’ve noticed, including if you heard the tooth crack.
From there, your dentist will conduct an examination to check for visible damage such as rough edges or missing enamel. Additional tests such as a dental X-ray or a bite test can also help determine the severity of the damage.
Based on their findings, your dentist will then suggest an appropriate treatment plan to repair the tooth.
Any questions about which cosmetic dentistry treatments in Liverpool is right for you? Call us on 0151 489 2139 or fill out a contact form!
