A broken tooth is one of those injuries that always seem to happen at the worst possible times. A common way that people chip or break teeth is by biting on something hard. Such injuries are more likely to occur when the tooth has already been weakened by tooth decay.
The severity of the damage to a broken tooth determines if it requires emergency dental care. Minor breaks tend to be more cosmetic in nature, so it okay to wait for a regular appointment when getting these treated. However, more serious damage to a tooth can open up its inner layers, leaving the blood vessels and nerves there exposed to bacteria and acids in the mouth.
When a tooth becomes damaged, assessing the extent of the damage is the first step toward treatment. Most breaks and chips will not require emergency care; only severe damage that reaches the pulp chamber and causes bleeding requires urgent dental care.
A tooth that has been split into two, broken off or damaged at its roots requires immediate dental care. The same goes for a tooth that has been knocked out of the mouth. A dentist might be able to reinsert a knocked-out tooth if the patient makes it to the clinic within a few hours. The patient gets to keep their real tooth, and their dental bills are lower.
People with broken teeth should clean their mouths with a saltwater rinse to remove any debris that might be left after the injury. Any recovered parts of the tooth should be stored in a wet piece of gauze and taken to the dentist.
The severity of a chipped tooth determines how a dentist recommends treating it. Here are popular ways that dentists restore broken teeth.
Enamel reshaping: This is used to smooth out minor chips and breaks, restoring the aesthetics of damaged teeth.
Composite bonding: This involves applying a composite resin directly to the damaged tooth. The composite is a mixture of plastics and glass and has a putty-like constituency when first applied. It can be molded as desired before being hardened with a curing light.
Crowns: These versatile restorations are an effective way to treat moderate and severe breaks. The crown covers the visible part of the damaged tooth, eliminating any aesthetic issues caused by the break. The crown also helps prevent the rest of the tooth from falling apart, and it protects the tooth from acids and bacteria in the mouth.
Root canal: Root canal therapy is used to treat the most severe breaks. The process involves cleaning out the contents of the pulp chamber, disinfecting the tooth and sealing it up with gutta-percha. Teeth that have been restored with root canals are often covered with crowns to provide additional protection.
Ready to fix your damaged tooth? Give us a call or drop by our clinic to start the process.
Request an appointment here: https://santarosaendodontics.com or call Santa Rosa Endodontics at (707) 706-2143 for an appointment in our Santa Rosa office.
Check out what others are saying about our broken tooth services on Yelp: Broken Tooth in Santa Rosa, CA.
A person might need to see an endodontist for a wide variety of problems, mainly relating to how they can save patients’ teeth. All endodontists are dentists because they have completed dental school, but they do two more years of specialized study in the techniques used to preserve a person’s dentition. So, if you are…
When a root canal fails, a root canal retreatment must happen. Getting a root canal treatment is better than a dental extraction. If an endodontist sees that your tooth still has good bone support and healthy gums under or around it, a root canal can save the tooth. A root canal is a less expensive…
Tooth pain and dental trauma can be distressing and require immediate attention to prevent further damage and alleviate discomfort. An emergency endodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating severe tooth pain and trauma, offering expert care to save a tooth, relieve pain, and protect long-term oral health. When sudden tooth pain or injury strikes, seeking help…
Tooth pain can stem from various dental issues; one lesser-known cause is a dental root fracture. Root fractures are cracks in the root of a tooth, often resulting from traumatic injury, tooth decay, or other dental conditions. When treated promptly, such as with root canal therapy, patients can avoid significant discomfort and complications. Recognizing the…
Endodontists have the knowledge to treat these abscesses, whether through surgical means or less-invasive options,…
Once you feel or see that something is wrong with an original root canal procedure,…
Tooth pain and dental trauma can be distressing and require immediate attention to prevent further…
In certain cases, these fractures can develop gradually due to chronic stress on the tooth…
Chipped teeth are a common dental issue that can occur from accidents, sports injuries, or…
Keep in mind that an endodontist will work carefully and thoroughly to minimize these risks…
