If
you have a broken or chipped tooth that is not
the result of a recent trauma, Your dentist can evaluate the tooth for possible treatment. It is
still important to have the tooth evaluated right away,
because in some situations a minor procedure now can
save you from a more significant procedure in the near
future!
A very small chip may be corrected by enamel
shaping. If the chip is a little larger, the best
options may be bonding or
a veneer. If the chip is on
a molar, an onlay may be
appropriate. Large chips and fractured teeth generally
require a crown. If the fracture
involves the nerve, Root Canal
Therapy may be necessary before the tooth is crowned.
It is important to have a broken tooth crowned before
it becomes infected or abscessed!
In extreme cases, a broken tooth cannot
be saved. In this case, an extraction
is needed. The missing tooth can be replaced with a
bridge or a partial
denture.
Each case is unique. Only your dentist can properly
diagnose the best course of treatment for your tooth.