My front left tooth broke below the gumline. I am looking for a cheap, fast way to fix it. I don’t know if there is anything like an affordable implant. Will a mini-implant work? If not, I am interested in something that is not expensive. I suppose there are not many options, but what is the least expensive? Thanks. Bart from WVA
Bart,
Cheap options do not last. You can ask a dentist to bond the tooth back with composite as an inexpensive fix, but it will not look good, nor will it last. Two treatment options can restore your tooth, but neither is cheap or fast.
Restoring a Tooth that Broke at the Gumline
Depending on the severity of the break, a dentist can restore a tooth that breaks at the gumline a dental crown or a dental implant.
Dental crown
If you do not have a strong bite or deep overbite, a dental crown might be able to restore your tooth. Treatment steps include:
- Root canal treatment
- Inserting two strong, flexible post in the tooth to absorb stress on the crown and prevent tooth root fracture
- Building up the tooth and post with composite
- Bonding the crown to your tooth
Dental implant
If you need a dental implant, it will mimic a natural tooth.
If your tooth broke at the gumline, weak and you have a strong bite, a dental implant is the only solution. You will need a standard dental implant—not a mini-implant. Although mini-implants are more affordable, they are not durable enough for front teeth, molar teeth, and most teeth. A mini-implant might support a small upper or lower incisor. And some dentists use mini-implants to secure a denture.
An implant and crown cost about twice as much as a root canal, two posts, and a crown, and it takes longer to heal. But a dental implant will last longer because the implant fixture fuses with your jawbone like a natural tooth root.
You can choose to get a dental crown, but understand the risk of failure if you have a strong bite or underbite. It is usually best to get the most effective option and avoid spending more time and money in the long-term.
We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist who has advanced cosmetic and implant dentistry training to discuss your options.
Dr. Steven Brooksher, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
