Caring for a chipped or broken tooth in Sunbury

If you brush, floss and see your dentist regularly, you will likely have a healthy, cavity-free and disease-free smile. You probably feel safe from dental problems. After all, common conditions such as decay and gingivitis don’t happen suddenly. However, there is one serious oral health problem that can literally happen in an instant. That is a broken or chipped tooth. A sports injury, falling face-first or even biting into your favourite meal can damage your pearly whites before you even realise what’s happening. Now you’re left with a broken smile and wondering what to do about it. The answer is, call Smile in Style right away.

Dr. Terry Rose, Smile In Style

Treatment options Regardless of how minor or major the tooth damage is, it’s important to see a dentist promptly. When you visit Smile in Style, we will begin with an examination and then recommend the best option to restore the appearance and health of your tooth. Depending on the severity of the damage, we may recommend:

  • Dental bonding – A tooth coloured resin material is applied to the tooth and then shaped and hardened. This is a great option for minor chips and it can be completed in one visit.
  • Porcelain veneer – Small chips and fractures can often be covered with a porcelain veneer. This is a good option if you wish to make cosmetic changes to the affected tooth. To change the colour or appearance of your entire smile, all visible teeth will need to be treated with veneers.
  • Inlay or onlay – If a large piece of the tooth is broken off, a custom-made inlay or onlay may be used using our CEREC technology in one visit. These restorations are made from high-strength porcelain and are shaped to fit the tooth, thus preserving undamaged portions.
  • Crown – A badly broken or weakened tooth may need a porcelain crown. It covers all exposed surfaces, restoring and protecting the tooth. We use the CEREC technology for crowns in one easy visit.
  • Root canal treatment – If the tissue inside of the tooth is damaged, root canal treatment may be necessary. This procedure removes injured dental pulp (soft tissue) from within the tooth. The procedure is usually followed with a dental crown using CEREC technology for strength and protection of the tooth.

Even if your chipped tooth does not hurt, a restoration is important. Any damage to the enamel can lead to decay if not repaired. Call us at 03 8400 4104 (Moonee Ponds location) or 03 8001 6021 (Sunbury location) to schedule an appointment.

 

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Smile In Style Dental office near Moonee Ponds and Sunbury

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Throughout our site, you will find valuable information about our services that will help you get to know us better. It is our mission to create beautiful white healthy smiles using the latest technologies. Our experienced Dentists and staff aim for lifelong relationships with our patients, providing relevant dental education and continual care throughout life. Here, you can learn more about the various dental conditions that may develop and the ways in which we treat them.
Some of the services you can expect to find at Smile in Style include: Our goal is to work together with you to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile, whilst ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol

  • Chlorella drink prior is given prior to treatment and a mouth rinse post-treatment. Chlorella can help bind and prevent mercury absorption.
  • Physical protective barriers - Masks, protective coverings, eyewear, in-mouth non-latex dental dams, and other steps are taken to prevent physical contact with mercury for the patient and staff.
  • Oral evacuation - Generous amounts of water are used to continuously rinse particulate matter from the mouth while suctioning it away. Combined with protective dental dams, this prevents patients from swallowing dental amalgam particles during treatment. Additionally, the rinsing helps lower the temperature of the filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • External air - A continuous supply of non-contaminated air or oxygen is delivered via a mask or similar apparatus, preventing inhalation of mercury vapour or particles.
  • "Chunk it out" method - Rather than using a drill to grind the filling down, it is carefully removed in the largest possible pieces, minimising friction, vaporisation.
  • High Volume Evacuation Suction is used by the dental assistant to remove amalgam particles in the mouth.
  • High Volume Air suction and Air Purifiers are used in the clinical room that is able to remove mercury vapour from the room.
  • Amalgam separator use - This device collects mercury-contaminated waste before it can enter the sewage system, allowing us to dispose of it safely.