Have you found yourself with a broken tooth and don’t know what to do? Do you know the procedures that a dentist can use to save your tooth?
Despite the enamel being the hardest part of your tooth, it is still subject to cracking, chipping, and breaking. Biting on hard objects, chewing on ice, a blow on your face or tooth decay can lead to breaking or chipping your tooth. Once you experience such a situation, do not panic some options can save your tooth.
The first step you should take once you realize you have a fractured or cracked tooth is visiting your dentist as soon as possible. If you do not seek immediate care, you might lose your tooth completely or have an infection.
In the meantime, you can apply some home remedies. If you are experiencing pain, place a cold compress on your face over the aching area. Alternatively use an over the counter pain reliever. Ensure that you also rinse your mouth with warm salty water to prevent infections.
If the broken tooth has caused a sharp edge, cover it with wax or a piece of sugarless chewing gum to prevent it from bruising your tongue. Also, consume soft foods, to avoid putting pressure on the broken tooth.
Your dentist will choose a treatment option for your tooth, depending on how severe the damage is. If only a small part of your enamel is broken, you will only require a single office visit to repair the damage. However, if the damage is more severe, your treatment plan will be lengthy and costly.
Dental Filling and Bonding
Your dentist would recommend a filling if you have a chipped tooth. For a chipped front tooth, your dentist will probably use a procedure called bonding. If the dentist decides to use bonding, he or she will use teeth-colored composite resin. The tooth-colored composite resin is usually for aesthetic purposes.
Dental bonding is a simple procedure that does not require anesthesia. To bond your tooth, the dentist first etches the surface of your enamel with a gel to ensure the bond adheres to your tooth. Next, the dentist will apply an adhesive followed by a composite resin material. Finally, he or she will use ultraviolet light to harden the composite resin.
Dental Crowns
If you have a large piece of your tooth broken, the dentist will grind the remaining part and replace it with a similar shaped cap or crown. The crown will protect the tooth from further damage and improve its appearance.
Crowns are made of different materials such as metal, composite resin, porcelain, or porcelain fused with metal. Each type has its benefits. However, all-metal crowns are the strongest. On the other hand, porcelain and resin are identical to your teeth hence are more aesthetic.
You will only need two dental visits to get dental crowns. During the first visit, your dentist will prepare the tooth for a crown and place a temporary crown. Also, he or she will take impressions of your mouth to help create the permanent crown. During the second visit, he or she will remove the temporary crown and replace it with a permanent one.
Root Canal Treatment
Your dentist will recommend this procedure if your tooth is damaged to the root. If your tooth pains or changes its color, the pulp could probably be damaged. If the pulp tissue is not extracted, your tooth can get infected and become subject to extraction.
Root canal procedure involves removing the pulp, cleaning the cavity, and resealing it. This procedure is performed by a dentist or an endodontist. During the procedure, your dentist will begin by numbing your mouth. He or she will drill an opening, remove the pulp, clean the cavity, and seal the opening.
Dental Veneers
If you have a chipped front tooth, you can consider veneers over bonding. At Harmony Dental Care, the dentist will remove up to 1 millimeter of your enamel. The dentist will make an impression that is sent to a dental lab to help in making your veneer. After two weeks, the dentist will place your veneer after etching the surface to roughen it.