Many of us know someone who has had one or several damaged teeth. Some people come to have these damaged teeth as a result of a sudden bicycle accident or biting down on a hard piece of food. For others, damaged teeth arise out of oral issues related to improper hygiene or health troubles.

As troublesome as they may appear, cracked, broken, and severely decayed teeth are not the end of the world. There are several ways to repair these teeth and restore a person’s smile. The right approach for the patient depends on a variety of factors. With any luck, though, a skilled oral surgeon like those found at Dr. Suzanne Caudry’s facilities can easily restore a tooth to its former glory.

In today’s blog post, we will be taking a look at the types of tooth damage common to people and the various treatment methods available to patients. If at any point you have any questions or you decide you’d like to repair a tooth of your own, feel free to call us at (416) 928-3444.

Tooth Repair: How It’s Done

Those who have chipped a tooth before know that two different teeth rarely chip or crack the same way. There are vertical root fractures, fractured cusps, split teeth, and everything in between.

The extent of the damage will determine the restoration or repair method. For your reading pleasure, here is some information on professional dental repair practices.

Bonding

There are those minor, superficial cracks in a tooth that don’t cause much pain or discomfort. These can even go unnoticed by a person until a friend or loved one points it out to them. In minor instances such as these, the preferred approach is straightforward simple bonding.

Simple bonding is a fast—and yes, simple—procedure that promises excellent results. A dentist will repair the tooth crack with the white material used during the creation of dental fillings. We call this material composite resin.

Crowns

When it comes to fractured cusps, the crown repair method is the preferred choice of professionals. A crown, as the name suggests, is a type of cap that the dentist places over the top of the tooth. This crown gives the tooth strength, allowing you to chew food without issue.

Dental Implants

At the facilities of Dr. Caudry, dental implants are our foremost specialty. An individual may benefit from an implant if the tooth damage has gone untreated and left the tooth unable to function. After removing the entire tooth, we prepare the site for an implant.

While dental implant surgery might seem daunting, it is actually quite a straightforward procedure. After designing your new, natural-looking tooth to perfection during your planning sessions, we insert a screw into the jawbone. This screw acts as the new tooth’s root, securing it in place. After the screw comes the abutment and the customized tooth itself. After a brief recovery period, you will be able to speak, eat, and go about your life without any discomfort. 

Repairing Teeth, Restoring Confidence

Tooth damage comes in many forms. There are those chips that occur during a sporting event and those that arise as a result of poor hygienic practices. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: a damaged tooth can damage a person’s confidence.

Don’t let a compromised smile get in the way of your confidence. If you’re living with a damaged tooth, contact the facilities or Dr. Caudry. We will restore your smile and your confidence.

Rescuing and Repairing Dental Implants

An under-discussed part of our profession has to do with repairing dental implants. That’s right: not natural teeth, but dental implants.

It might surprise you to hear that dental implants can chip, but it is true. Despite the durable nature of implants, they are not immune to damage. Much like real teeth, oral trauma can negatively impact an implant. Even improper hygienic practices can lead to the failure of the dental implant, too, resulting in implant removal or extensive oral treatments. If this happens, do not worry. Most oral surgeons will be able to help restore your smile and give you a few tips on proper aftercare.

Dental Implant Rescue

Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate, but they are not immune to troubles. Infection and bone loss can occur around an implant just as though it was a natural tooth. There are even times when an individual may not be able to feel any discomfort while these issues increase in severity.

If issues are detected early enough, Dr. Caudry and her staff have the experience needed to rescue implants from the brink. When restoring health to your teeth and gums, we might surgically remove the implant to disinfect and prepare the site. With any luck, this will ready the surgical site for another dental implant.

That said, an implant will remain at risk if an individual fails to practice proper oral care. We advise all our patients to take care of their teeth and visit their dentist on a regular basis.

Chipped Dental Implants

When your dental implant chips or cracks, there are several avenues your dentist might explore with you. In most instances, your dentist will want to repair the damage as quickly as possible. Failing to do so might only lead to further damage.

Traditional Implant Repair

In some cases, your periodontist might be able to completely restore the existing implant. This process usually involves the use of special composite materials to re-introduce density and shape to the implant.

Implant Replacement

If the damage is too severe to risk simply repairing the implant, your oral surgeon might suggest replacing the dental implant altogether. This might involve simply installing a new crown on the abutment or more extensive work.

Dental Repair Done Right

Do you have questions? Are you looking to address dental issues of your own? Whether you have general questions or specific concerns, we invite you to contact our offices at (416) 928-3444. We are always ready to speak with an inquiring mind or potential patient.