If you damage a tooth, whether from a sports injury or biting down in a hard piece of food, you need to seek treatment. Otherwise, even seemingly minor damage could increase the risk of tooth decay, dental infections, or in extreme cases, the loss of a tooth. Fortunately, we have a number of options available for repairing teeth.
Ways to Repair a Tooth
- Dental Bonding: We can often use this procedure to address minor chips and damage. We use the same composite resin we use for our tooth-colored fillings. After we remove any decay and clean the tooth, we apply the composite resin, which is shaded to better match the tooth. As the bonding material cures under a light, the doctor sculpts and molds the tooth. In one visit, we can repair chips in a tooth.
- Dental Crowns: A crown is made from ceramic and fits over the entirety of the tooth’s visible portion. We first need to prepare the tooth, removing structure to make room for the restoration. We then take detailed digital impressions using an intraoral camera. We use the images gathered to create a 3D model of the tooth, which is then uploaded into the CEREC machine. CEREC uses CAD/CAM technology to mill the same in the same visit from a block of ceramic. Finally, we place the crown, addressing decayed, infected, broken, or cracked teeth in one visit.
- Inlays and Onlays: These act as the middle ground between bonding and a crown. While being made from ceramic, they don’t require as much tooth structure to be removed prior to placement. Instead, these target specific areas of the tooth, such as between the cusps of the top teeth or over them.
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities in the Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at (847) 230-9703.