A tooth can break for a number of reasons, whether it has been fractured by eating something hard, from decay or trauma related such as a blow to the face. A lot of the time, a patient may not experience any pain if a tooth has broken, however the protective enamel of the tooth which has fractured away now exposes the vulnerable tooth structure which is susceptible to bacterial infection, which can ultimately lead to pain and potentially loss of the tooth all together.
Generally, if a tooth has sustained a chip or break, the dentist will assess the damage, advise of an appropriate course of action and repair the tooth on the day of the appointment. Sometimes a tooth will require a long term restorative option, such as a structurally supporting ceramic onlay, or crown, where additional appointments may be required.
There is usually always a choice as to what treatment option is best for each individual, and this can be discussed at the time of the appointment.
Here at Sunshine Family Dental, we have steered away from amalgam as a restorative material and instead offer White Composite resin and Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) as preferred direct restorative materials.