Improve Oral Health with Treatment for Tooth Fractures By Andrew Mortensen, DDS on March 30, 2017

Tooth fractures can happen suddenly, like during an accident, or may develop over time, as seen with chronic teeth grinding. Whatever the cause, untreated tooth fractures can lead to serious oral health problems. Restorative dentistry treatments are available to repair fractured teeth, restoring the health and appearance of the teeth while preventing further damage. Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen restores the health and beauty of damaged smiles with treatment for tooth fractures at his Fountain Valley, CA practice. Schedule a consultation to find out if one of the following treatments is right for you.

Treatments for Tooth Fractures

Untreated tooth fractures can lead to serious dental damage, including tooth decay, root canal infections, and tooth loss. Treating tooth fractures as soon as possible is vital to protecting your oral health and preventing further damage. Fortunately, there are many treatments available to prevent further damage while also restoring the appearance of fractured teeth. Some of these treatments include:

Dental bonding: Dental bonding treatment may be used to treat minor dental fractures. With dental bonding treatment, a tooth-colored resin is directly applied to the treated tooth. This resin is shaped and molded to the desired size and appearance, and then hardened and polished for a flawless finish.
Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers may also be used to treat minor dental fractures. Rather than using a soft resin molded directly onto the teeth, porcelain veneers are custom-made from impressions taken of the teeth to create a durable, tooth-shaped shell. The finished shell is then cemented in place over the damaged tooth to restore the tooth's appearance and health.
Dental crowns: Moderate to severe tooth fractures may benefit from treatment with dental crowns. Dental crowns are generally made of porcelain but may also be made of gold. Dental crowns encase individual teeth to restore dental strength, function, and appearance.
Onlays: When tooth fractures are not severe enough to require a full crown but are too severe for treatment with dental bonding or veneers, onlays may be the most suitable treatment options. Onlays, also called “partial crowns,” help restore dental structure while preserving healthy areas of the surrounding tooth.

The Benefits of Treating Tooth Fractures

Treating tooth fractures with restorative dentistry treatments offers many benefits. Fractured teeth are vulnerable to decay, which can lead to painful root canal infections or tooth extraction if left untreated. Treating tooth fractures as soon as possible can help prevent further damage to the teeth, potentially saving damaged teeth from requiring root canal therapy or extraction.

In addition to the health benefits of treating tooth fractures, restorative dentistry treatments are an aesthetically pleasing option to restore the appearance of damaged teeth to their former beauty. Repairing tooth fractures with any of these restorative treatments can help those who are self-conscious about the appearance of damaged teeth to smile with confidence.