When you have a cracked or broken tooth, seeking restoration is essential not only for the appearance of your smile, but for the sake of your oral and general health, too. The question that needs to be answered is what type of restoration is appropriate. That will depend on the kind of damage and the extent of damage. At Hill Avenue Dental, the father and son team of Drs. Doug and Doug Clark will diagnosis the condition of your tooth and recommend the best restorative treatment. Let’s take a look at some of the options that are available from the dentist in Superior, WI.
Cosmetic Bonding
For a tooth that is nominally broken, cosmetic bonding may be the most conservative solution. With bonding, one of the dentists serving Duluth, MN, uses the same composite resin material needed for a tooth-colored filling to rebuild your tooth. The bonding material is alternately applied, then dried with a curing light and sculpted to create a pleasing and natural shape. This process is repeated until the optimal form is achieved. Although composite resin is quite strong, it can chip so take care to avoid biting down on hard objects with your newly restored tooth.
Porcelain Veneers
Some patients present with one or more teeth that are severely broken. How the tooth is broken and whether or not the inner most part of the tooth—the pulp chamber—is impacted will determine what type of restoration is appropriate. If the pulp chamber is intact then porcelain veneers may be recommended. Veneers are micro-thin shells of dental porcelain or composite resin that cover the facial side of a damaged tooth. Drs. Clark will remove a fraction of tooth enamel and then create an impression of your tooth that is sent to our dental where the veneer is fabricated. Each veneer is adhesively bonded into place to restore the natural appearance of your smile.
CEREC One-Visit Crowns
For a tooth with a deep crack that may cause the tooth to cleave, or when a fracture compromises the integrity of the pulp chamber, the dentists in Superior, WI, will likely recommend a CEREC dental crown. Prior to placing the crown, a root canal may be necessary to prevent or remove infection from inside the tooth. Then, the CEREC system will be used to fabricate your crown in a single visit. Once the CEREC same-day crown is in place, the tooth is protected and fully functional again.
Call Our Office Today
If you have a cracked or broken tooth that needs repair, please contact Hill Avenue Dental in Superior, WI. We are the dentists serving Duluth, MN, and the surrounding area.