Chipped Tooth Repair and How A Cosmetic Dentist Can Help

29 April 2016

Chipped Tooth Repair and How A Cosmetic Dentist Can Help

Chipped tooth repair is one of the more common dental procedures a cosmetic dentist Manchester will perform. Fortunately for patients, the good news is that skilled clinicians like our team at our Church Road dental practice are able to fully repair the tooth using several different methods. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of them, and the varying types of cracked teeth they can fix.

Craze lines

When tiny cracks appear in the enamel of the tooth these are commonly known as craze lines. These are shallow and generally cause no pain. Two ways that this type of tooth can be fixed is by dental bonding and veneers.

Dental bonding otherwise known as composite bonding is a method that applies a putty like substance to the surface of the tooth. An ultraviolet light is used to harden the putty which is then shaped and polished to seamlessly match the remaining teeth.

Veneers, on the other hand, are fashioned from thin slithers of dental porcelain which are attached to the front of the tooth just like a cover. A good veneer can easily last 15 years or more and a skilled can make it appear incredibly realistic. No more craze lines, just great looking teeth.

Fractured Cusp

When the chewing surface of the tooth breaks off this is technically known as a fractured cusp. As the pulp isn’t exposed it doesn’t normally cause any pain. This type of chipped tooth repair can be fixed using a veneer just like above, but a dentist may decide to opt for a dental crown.

A dental crown is a tooth like cap that covers the whole tooth. In order to fit the crown the tooth is prepared and shaped. Once this is done the crown is then cemented in place, making for a permanent new tooth.

Cracked tooth

A cracked tooth signifies an extended crack or fracture that extends from the chewing surface right down to the tooth root. In most cases if the crack has extended into the pulp, then it can cause pain, especially if the pulp becomes infected. In this case the patient may chipped tooth repair by means of a root canal.

A root canal involves drilling down into the tooth and removing all the pulp contained within. The tooth is then filled and sealed protecting it from further infection. Sometimes if the strength of the tooth has been compromised then a crown is also placed on top of the existing tooth.

Split tooth

A split tooth is normally the end result of a long term cracked tooth. It’s identified by distinct segments separated by large cracks. Normally this type of tooth can no longer be saved and for this reason our team at our will normally suggest a dental implant.

A dental implant provides a lifelike and permanent tooth replacement which fully restores both the bite and the function of the tooth. In order to fit the implant the existing tooth first needs to be pulled. Then a titanium implant is secured down into the jawline. The implant is bio-compatible, meaning that over time the surrounding bone tissue fuses with the implant, to create a super strong structure upon which a standard porcelain crown can then be placed.

So there you have it, the types of cracked tooth and the various ways that our cosmetic dentist Manchester carries out Remember you should never have to suffer with unsightly cracked or chipped teeth. Instead we invite you to consult our Church Road dental practice who can help.

To make an appointment either visit our website on  or contact us directly on 0161 486 0743 and let us help you restore your great looking smile.