Can you fix a broken front tooth

Q: Can a dentist fill a broken front tooth?

Filling or Bonding: If youve chipped away a small piece of enamel, your dentist may be able to repair the damage by applying a filling. If the damage occurred to a front tooth, the dentist may repair the damage by applying a tooth-colored composite resin.

Accidents happen, and when these accidents involve your mouth, they can sometimes lead to a cracked front tooth. Taking a big bite of frozen food, getting bumped by an elbow during a basketball game or tripping on an uneven sidewalk can naturally put your front teeth, or incisors, at risk.

Table of Contents Show

How Do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?
How much does it cost to fix a broken front tooth?
What do you do if your front tooth breaks in half?
What can you do for a broken front tooth?
Can a dentist fill a broken front tooth?

If your front tooth has cracked, it's important to see your dentist – it can be hard to determine its location and severity on your own, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Some cracks, known as craze lines, are superficial and usually need no treatment. Others, however, extend below the gumline and usually require replacing the tooth.

Bonding

A dentist can do a few things to restore a cracked front tooth. Bonding, for instance, usually involves a composite resin – which is made to resemble the color of your natural tooth – to seal or fill in the crack. Compared to other methods for treating a cracked tooth, this one is the least pricey and requires the fewest number of trips to the dentist. Although your dentist may be able to repair your tooth through bonding in just a single visit, however, the material isn't as strong as others. Its weakness makes it better suited for teeth that don't take a lot of pressure when biting, such as the front teeth, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Crown

If the crack is long or deep, but doesn't reach the root or below the gumline, a crown might be preferable over bonding. Crowns are usually made of porcelain and act as a cover for the damaged tooth, allowing you to restore or even improve its shape. Your dentist may recommend placing a crown over the front tooth if there isn't enough usable tooth left to bond. You will need to spend a bit more time in the dentist's chair when receiving a crown to fix a cracked front tooth, and probably return for multiple visits. But because a crown is more durable than bonding, you can expect it to last longer with the right home care.

Root Canal

Some cracks affect not only the outside of the tooth, but the inside as well. If the crack is deep enough to reach the pulp of your tooth, located beneath the enamel and dentin layers, you might need a root canal to treat the inflamed pulp and save the tooth. When a root canal is performed to treat a cracked tooth, the dentist covers the treated tooth with a crown afterward. Although the idea can sound intimidating, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) states that the process is similar to that of a filling. And today, it's relatively comfortable.

Implant

A cracked tooth isn't treatable once the crack reaches beneath the gumline, according to the AAE. This means a dentist will need to remove the tooth, but it does not mean you're left with an empty space in your mouth; an oral surgeon can install an implant in your jawbone to replace the root of the tooth. This implant is then covered with a crown so that it looks as much like your original tooth as possible.

No matter how you and your dentist decide to treat a cracked front tooth, it's important to take care of it after treatment. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste will protect your restored tooth from decay. You'll also want to check in with your dentist regularly to make sure the bonding, crown or implant remains in good shape.

The last option for repairing a chipped tooth would be getting a dental implant. This route is only for the most severe cracks where very little tooth remains above the gum line. In this instance, you'd remove the tooth and allow it to heal before your dentist attaches the implant. Once healed, a permanent metal post would be inserted into the bone beneath your gum line and then eventually a tooth implant would be placed into the post that looks and feels like a real tooth. It's the most time-consuming and costly option, but the results should last a lifetime.

Like a snowflake or fingerprint, not all tooth chips are alike. So your dentist must give it a proper exam before you decide on the best option for you and your oral health. Whichever way you go, maintaining proper oral care can only keep your repaired tooth happy and healthy. As would taking care whenever you're next out on the pitch or court.

Although tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the entire body, it isn’t indestructible. It’s quite common for people to experience chipped or cracked teeth after biting down on a chunk of ice, an almond or some other hard piece of food. When this occurs, it’s important to know how to manage the chipped tooth to preserve your tooth and avoid serious pain or infections.

What to Do for a Chipped Tooth

If you suffer a chipped, broken or fractured tooth, it’s important to visit your local dentist as soon as possible. If you wait, the tooth could become even more damaged. What’s worse, it could become infected, resulting in serious health risks and possible tooth loss.

5 Ways to Fix a Chipped Tooth at Home

Until you are able to see a dentist, you can try the following self-care measures:

Blunt the pain by taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen or another type of over-the-counter pain reliever.
Rinse your mouth with salt water to reduce the risk of infection.
If the damage has caused a jagged or sharp edge, cover it with a piece of sugarless chewing gum or wax paraffin to protect your tongue and cheek.
If you must eat, select softer foods and do not bite down on the damaged tooth.
Treat the tooth with Dentemp, a product available at most drugstores and pharmacies designed to temporarily treat chipped teeth until you can see a dentist.

How Do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?

Treatment for a chipped or broken tooth will depend on the severity of the damage. If only a small portion of enamel has broken off, a dentist will likely be able to repair the tooth in a single office visit. However, a badly broken or damaged tooth may require a costlier procedure, which could take more than one office visit. Here are some things your dentist may recommend to repair your chipped or broken tooth.

Filling or Bonding: If you’ve chipped away a small piece of enamel, your dentist may be able to repair the damage by applying a filling. If the damage occurred to a front tooth, the dentist may repair the damage by applying a tooth-colored composite resin. Called bonding, this relatively simple procedure usually requires no numbing agent. The dentist starts by etching the surface of the tooth with a special gel or liquid. Next, he or she will apply an adhesive substance, followed by the resin. 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. A thin shell of tooth-colored resin composite material or porcelain, veneers are specially created and customized in a lab to match your specific needs. They are then applied over the surface of your existing tooth using special cement.
Dental Cap or Crown: If you have lost a substantial portion of your tooth, your dentist may file away part of the remaining tooth and cap it with a crown, designed to protect the tooth, preserve function and improve aesthetic appearance. If the damage is severe enough to expose the pulp within the tooth, you may develop pulp damage or infection. When this occurs, your dentist may have to remove the dead or dying pulp through root canal therapy. Afterward, the dentist will cap the tooth with a crown.

Remember, do not wait to handle your chipped tooth. Contact your dentist to schedule an appointment.

How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Chipped Tooth?

The cost of repairing a chipped tooth can range substantially, based on the severity of the issue, the affected tooth and the required treatment. Patients can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a small chip that requires dental bonding or a few thousand for a severe chip that needs root canal therapy and a crown.

Below are estimated costs for fixing a chipped tooth with no dental insurance.

Fillings: About $100 to $500
Crowns: From $250 to $2,000 based on the tooth and type of crown
Root canal: From $500 to $1,000 based on the severity of damage and location of tooth
Veneers: Can cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth

Dental insurance can help offset some or all of these expenses. Talk to your dentist and insurance provider for more information.

How much does it cost to fix a broken front tooth?

It can cost $300 to $5,000 to fix a chipped tooth, depending on the method used to repair the tooth. Dental bonding is the cheapest option, while an implant is the most expensive option. There are many ways you can chip your tooth, such as trauma to the face or mouth, chewing on hard foods, or poor oral hygiene.

What do you do if your front tooth breaks in half?

If your tooth cracks in half, call your dental office immediately to set up an appointment. Make sure to let them know, your tooth is cracked in half. A broken tooth is not something you should put off. It could get worse and become infected.

What can you do for a broken front tooth?

Dental Filling or Bonding If you have chipped off just a small piece of tooth enamel, your dentist may repair the damage with a filling. If the repair is to a front tooth or can be seen when you smile, your dentist will likely use a procedure called bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin.

Can a dentist fill a broken front tooth?

Filling or Bonding: If you've chipped away a small piece of enamel, your dentist may be able to repair the damage by applying a filling. If the damage occurred to a front tooth, the dentist may repair the damage by applying a tooth-colored composite resin.