If you have a chipped or cracked tooth and are searching for a top-notch dentist to correct it, look no further than Dr. Brett Wells, Dr. Anna Gladwell, or Dr. Adam Woll of Wells Family Dentistry. For years, our dentists have helped patients with chipped or cracked teeth achieve the beautiful teeth and smile they deserve.
Why Chipped or Cracked Tooth Occur
The enamel on your teeth is known as the strongest tissue in your body. However, it can still chip or crack. You may experience a chipped or cracked tooth because you were doing something that you shouldn’t have like playing hockey without your mouthguard, chewing on a piece of ice or another hard object, using your teeth as a tool to open a bottle, grinding your teeth, or clenching your jaw.
Believe it or not, tongue and mouth piercings may also lead to chipped or cracked teeth because when you have a piercing, a hard object regularly bumps against your teeth. In addition, tooth decay or cavities can weaken your teeth and increase their chances of breaking when you are chewing on hard foods like ice, nuts, hard taco shells, bread crust, and corn on the cob.
Regardless of whether you fell directly into concrete or were chewing a hard piece of candy, Wells Family Dentistry understands how self-conscious a chipped or cracked tooth can make you feel and is therefore committed to fixing it. Here are several of the many treatments that we often recommend to Raleigh patients with chipped or cracked teeth:
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are very thin, tooth shaped pieces of porcelain that can be bonded to the front of your teeth. They are custom made to match the exact shape and color of your teeth and are an effective way to improve your overall smile.
Crowns
Crowns cover your entire tooth surface to recreate your tooth’s original shape and size. They are a popular way to correct chipped or cracked teeth because they are designed to match the shape, size, and color of your original teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth that are typically comprised of titanium and surgically positioned into your upper or lower jawbone to give you a natural look and restore your smile. In order to be placed properly, dental implants will require a number of visits to our office over the span of several months.
Composite Fillings
A composite filling is a tooth colored plastic and glass mixture that can bring your chipped or cracked tooth back to its original shape. Composite fillings are durable and create a beautiful smile that lasts for years.
Types of Cracked or Chipped Teeth
There are a variety of chipped or cracked teeth that you may experience. Craze lines are common in adults and only affect the outer enamel. Fortunately, they are shallow and will not cause you any pain.
A fractured cusp may occur when a piece of your tooth’s chewing surface breaks. With a cracked tooth, a crack will extend from your chewing surface in a vertical direction toward your root. If your cracked tooth does not get treated right away, it may turn into a split tooth which features a crack with distinct segments. Lastly, you may face a vertical root fracture which consists of cracks that start in the root of the tooth and make their way toward your chewing surface.
Call Wells Family Dentistry to Schedule an Appointment
To find out which treatment is right for your chipped or cracked tooth, we encourage you to call Wells Family Dentistry today at (919) 266-5332 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to correcting your issue and restoring your confidence.