Restoring Fractured Front Teeth

Front teeth are often subjected to various injuries including accidents, childhood negligence, unhealthy habits such as biting ice, bones, certain nuts, etc. The treatments of these injuries vary depending on the extent of the fracture.

Cosmetic Contouring

Contouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure which involves grinding the sharp edges of teeth in order to round them thus making them look more beautiful and feel smoother in the mouth. Small fractures of the tooth edge can be smoothed and evened by limited contouring of the sharp edges. Extended restorations and treatments are probably not necessary in such cases.

 

Before

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Composite Fillings

In cases of more extended fractures, the best possible solution - particularly for children- is restoring the fractured part of the tooth with composite. The tissues of the tooth are slightly roughened and preserved as much as possible, in this procedure. It is often not even necessary to use local anesthetic injections in this treatment process.

This treatment is completed in one session and patients would be able to keep the filling provided they observe the points pertinent to the preservation of front tooth fillings. As already noted, all composite fillings require examining and cleaning by the dentist once every six months.

 

Before After

 

Porcelain Veneers and Crowns

Some fractures are too extensive to be restored using composite; this is when indirect or lab methods such as porcelain veneers and crowns are utilized. If a large portion of the tooth were fractured or the crown has been completely destroyed, a root canal therapy must be first conducted followed by restoration of the tooth crown through post and core. The tooth should be finally capped.

 

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