Thank you for fitting me in when I desperately needed it. I can honestly say that Corina is the best dentist I have been to.

P.W

Do you have one or more damaged teeth?

Chips and cracks in the teeth are not just cosmetic issues. In fact, depending on the location and type of damage, they may not be visible at all. But chipped or cracked teeth can lead to further damage over time and pose a risk to your overall oral health. They can also cause pain, especially when exposed to cold or hot temperatures.

If you’re dealing with visible damage, pain, or other dental issues related to cracks and chips, our skilled and compassionate team is here to help. We’ll examine your smile to determine the source and extent of the damage and work with you to develop the right treatment plan for your specific situation.

What causes chipped or cracked teeth?

Chipped or cracked teeth can occur due to a variety of factors, including:

Cavities – Cavities are tiny holes that appear on the surface of the teeth and leave the affected areas vulnerable to further damage.
Trauma – Whether you’ve sustained a fall, a sports injury, or simply bitten down on a hard object, physical force is one of the most common causes of damaged teeth.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel over time, changing the shape of your teeth and increasing your chance of developing cracks and chips.
Poor dental hygiene – If you aren’t practicing oral care such as brushing, flossing, and getting regular professional cleanings, then your teeth will be far more vulnerable to damage.
Aging – Due to the daily wear and tear of chewing, a weakened enamel is part of the natural aging process.

No matter the cause of your chipped or cracked teeth, we can help you find the right treatment and restore the look and health of your smile.

Treatments for chipped or cracked teeth

Bonding

If you have minor or shallow cracking, we may be able to use composite bonding material to repair the damaged tooth. Bonding is non-invasive and pain-free.

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Fillings

Fillings are a very common and safe method of fixing cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. This may be the best course of action if your damaged tooth has a cavity.

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Crowns

Crowns can be used to cover visible cracks and chips as well as protect the tooth from further damage. They can be made out of ceramic, porcelain, or metal material, and can help restore the structure of a compromised tooth.

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Veneers

Like crowns, dental veneers can be placed over damaged teeth to improve the appearance of your smile and protect the tooth’s natural surface from further damage. Because they look and feel just like natural teeth, veneers are a popular treatment for a wide variety of cosmetic concerns.

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Implants

Dental implants involve removing the compromised tooth and creating an implant to take its place. This may be the best option if your tooth is cracked or chipped close to the gumline or if it’s sustained structural damage.

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Root canals

If a tooth is cracked or damaged down to the root, it may become infected. If you’re dealing with an infection, we may recommend a root canal, which involves removing the infection and then placing a crown over the tooth to protect it.

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How can I prevent chipped or cracked teeth?

Chips and cracks can happen to anyone, but luckily there are some precautions you can take to reduce the chance of sustaining damage to your enamel:

Use a mouthguard when playing sports or participating in physical activities.
If you suffer from bruxism, talk to your dentist about how to reduce teeth grinding.
Eat a healthy diet and avoid acidic or sugary foods and drinks to keep your enamel strong and healthy.
Avoid excessively chewing on hard foods and objects such as ice, hard candies, pencils, etc.
Brush, floss, and use a gentle mouthwash daily.
Get dental exams and cleanings every six months.

How can I prevent chipped or cracked teeth

Even the best cared for teeth can become chipped due to accidents, for example tripping over or sports injuries. Teeth that are weakened by decay can also become chipped when biting hard or chewy food such as toffee. If your tooth becomes chipped you should contact your dentist straight away because chipped teeth are weaker and can cause discomfort in your mouth. Left untreated they can also develop more serious problems because the sensitive inner parts of the tooth can be exposed.

If you have a small chip in your tooth enamel, this can often be fixed with one quick visit to the dental practice. If a large part of your tooth has broken off, you may require more extensive treatment and more than one visit to the practice – your dentist will be able to advise you about this on examination.

How is a broken tooth treated?

Fillings and dental bonding
A small chip to a tooth near the back of your mouth can often be repaired with a filling. A tooth-coloured composite material can often be used, which makes the filling largely unnoticeable. Your dentist may drill the tooth to remove any decay and to smooth the edges before the filling is placed. This can commonly be done in one visit.

If you have a small chip on your front teeth, your dentist may recommend dental bonding. Using a tooth-coloured composite, this will repair your tooth and will be matched in colour as closely as possible to your natural teeth. Your dentist will apply a gel to the affected tooth, followed by an adhesive and the bonding material. This material is then shaped to look like a natural tooth and hardened using ultraviolet light. This procedure can also commonly be done in a single visit.
Crowns
When a large piece of tooth has broken away or when the natural tooth is very decayed, a crown or cap can be the best option. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over the top of your teeth and can be made from metal, porcelain or composite material. While metal crowns are the strongest, they are better for back teeth; porcelain crowns are the most realistic-looking and are better for teeth nearer the front of the mouth.

A composite filling material will be used to give your tooth added strength before the crown is placed on top. An impression is taken of your affected tooth and the corresponding tooth that bites down on it for your crown to be made. Your dentist may fit you with a temporary crown whilst your permanent crown is being made – this typically takes up to two weeks.
Veneers
When a front tooth is chipped, dental veneers are often used to disguise the damage. This is a quick and easy option to restore your smile.

Dental veneers are thin slivers of porcelain or composite resin material, which is placed over the whole front of your tooth. Your dentist will prepare your tooth by removing a small amount of enamel, and will take impressions of your tooth, which are sent to the laboratory for your veneers to be made. This can take from one to two weeks. Once your veneer is ready, your dentist will use a special bonding material to fit the veneer to your tooth.