Are you dealing with a tooth that has a notable crack in it? If so, know that your dentist has a few ways that they can fix it once and for all.

Bonding

One solution to fixing cracked teeth is dental bonding material. It's essentially a compound made with acrylic resin. A dentist can apply the dental bonding material to a problematic tooth, filling in the small gap caused by the crack. Don't worry about the bonding material not matching the color of your natural tooth — the bonding material is tinted to match your teeth prior to its application.

The dentist will take the time to shape the bonding material so that it looks like a seamless part of your teeth. The bonding material is cured instantly by using a special light, allowing the entire process to take place in a single office visit.

Veneers

You can always cover those superficial cracks using veneers. Dental veneers are a resin or porcelain shell that attaches to the outward surface of your teeth. A veneer can be applied to a single cracked tooth to hide its cosmetic flaws. Not only does a veneer help give the tooth a better appearance, but it can help prevent the crack from getting worse.

Expect the process of getting dental veneers to take two visits to have done. It starts with taking a mold of your teeth so that the dentist knows the size and shape of the tooth that needs cosmetic repair. The mold is then sent over to a lab where they create the dental veneer. Once the dentist receives the dental veneer, you'll return to their office to have it attached to the tooth.

Crowns

A crown will probably be used if your tooth is severely damaged and the dentist feels that the tooth's integrity could be compromised. A crown acts as a protective cover, which reinforces the tooth to give it strength. A crown also provides a restored appearance to the tooth, which helps cover up that cosmetic damage that you were initially concerned about.

Crowns are made with a combination of resin, metal, or porcelain, and are colored to match the shade of the surrounding teeth so that they blend in seamlessly. Much like with veneers, crowns require at least two visits to have installed. One visit is so the dentist can take the mold, and another visit so they can install the fabricated crown.

For more information on dental crowns or your other options, contact a dentist near you.