- Chipped tooth. If the damage is slight, a dentist may polish the surface or smooth a broken or jagged edge. This is called cosmetic contouring.
- Filling with possible root canal. A crack or chip that goes deeper than the surface will need more extensive repair. ...
- Surgery. Molars have more than one root. If only one root is fractured, a root amputation can be done to save the rest of the tooth.
- Extraction. Sometimes, a root canal won’t save a tooth. For many endodontists, the depth of the crack determines how likely they are to recommend extraction.
How does a dentist fix a chipped tooth?
After shaping the resin to make it match your natural tooth, the dentist will harden the material using an ultraviolet light. Dental Veneers: If a front tooth is chipped or broken, your dentist can make it look healthy and flawless by applying a dental veneer.
How does a dentist fix a cracked molar tooth?
Your dentist will shape the tooth after filling in the crack with a special material. Once it’s got a solid base, your Houston surgical dentist will proceed with the placement of your dental crown. Your dentist will attempt to fix the root of the damaged molar tooth when the opportunity presents itself.
Why do teeth get chipped?
A forceful blow to the mouth due to a fall, a car accident, or being hit with a hard object can also chip teeth. Sometimes, chips can happen when a tooth is weakened for some reason. Extensive dental work where filling material takes up more space than actual enamel could be one reason.
Do I have a broken or chipped tooth?
Determining whether or not you have a broken or chipped tooth is usually pretty obvious – there’s a piece of your tooth missing and the broken spot will be jagged or sharp, and you’ll probably be in some amount of pain. You can feel a chipped tooth by running your tongue or finger over the suspected broken spot.
Can a chipped molar be saved?
Most chipped teeth can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece of tooth enamel or by bonding a tooth-colored filling or crown in place. See your dentist as soon as possible after the injury to treat your chipped tooth and keep it from worsening.
What happens if you chipped a molar?
A chipped tooth can cause tooth decay, which will end up causing tooth sensitivity. Also, a piece of protective enamel will be missing, exposing the inner tooth nerves and making the tooth sensitive to pressure, and hot, cold, sweet, and acidic food and drinks.
How do you deal with a chipped molar?
If you have chipped a tooth, these are the first things to do:Rinse your mouth with warm water. ... Stop the bleeding. ... Reduce swelling. ... Relieve the pain. ... Protect the tooth. ... Shield your tongue and cheeks. ... Preserve the chip if possible. ... Visit our dentist quickly.
Do you have to fix a chipped molar?
In most cases you should plan to have your chipped tooth repaired. The treatment how deep the chip runs. A chipped tooth equals a significant loss of tooth structure and can even contribute to new chips in the future and cracks in the enamel over time.
Can a cracked molar be repaired?
Minor cracks may be repaired and covered with dental bonding, a process where a resin is used and then hardened with a special light. Root Canal Therapy. In situations where the broken molar is causing pain, it may be necessary to remove the pulp in a root canal therapy procedure.
Does a chipped tooth need a crown?
To Repair A Cracked, Chipped Or Broken Tooth While minor chips can sometimes be repaired with cosmetic treatments like veneers or dental bonding, major tooth damage almost always requires a dental crown. Your crown will cover up and strengthen the tooth, allowing you to eat, speak and smile again.
How serious is a cracked molar?
If they are not treated, cracked teeth can lead to the death of the nerve, and an abscess might grow. The tooth could need root canal treatment or even taking out. In severe cases the tooth can actually split in two. If this happens your dentist will not be able to save the tooth and it will need to be taken out.
How much does it cost to repair a chipped tooth?
Generally, you might expect to pay the following prices for the different treatments that can fix chipped teeth: Bonding a tooth might cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, and the total cost might depend on how much work needs to be done on a tooth. A filling might cost anywhere from $90 to $500.
Is it common to chip a tooth?
Chipping a tooth is quite common even though tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. Whether the chip is visible (because it's on one of your front teeth) or not, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. If ignored and left untreated, a chipped tooth can lead to larger issues.
Is a chipped tooth a big deal?
A tooth that is more deeply chipped, or even broken, is at risk for a potentially severe infection. If the broken part of the tooth opens up to the pulp - the part of the inner tooth filled with nerves and blood vessels - then bacteria have very easy access to your bloodstream.
Will a chipped tooth get worse?
Do chipped teeth get worse? Yes, if a chipped tooth is left untreated, it is likely to get worse over time. At best, it will simply spoil your smile or cause pain and sensitivity; at worst, it could result in infection or even tooth loss.
Does insurance cover a chipped tooth?
For example, if you want to have bonding done because you have a chipped or broken tooth, your insurance company may pay a portion of that cost because it's considered necessary to keep your tooth from cracking or breaking further and causing you to need more extensive dental work.