Teeth can fracture for many reasons, including biting hard foods, trauma, grinding, large existing restorations, or underlying cracks.
The appropriate treatment depends upon how much tooth structure has been lost and whether the fracture extends into deeper portions of the tooth.
Minor enamel chips may require only smoothing or composite bonding.
Larger fractures may require:
When the fracture extends deeply below the gumline or into the root, the tooth may occasionally be unable to be predictably restored.
At John E. Sullivan DDS, P.C., we examine the tooth and use appropriate imaging to determine the extent of the damage.
Sensitivity does not always correspond directly to the severity of a fracture. Some significant fractures cause relatively little pain initially.
Early evaluation is therefore recommended whenever a tooth suddenly breaks or changes shape.
Our objective is to preserve as much healthy natural tooth structure as possible while restoring the tooth to safe function.