Can a Broken Tooth Be Saved?
Dealing with a broken tooth? Read on to learn about how a dentist can help. A broken tooth is one of those injuries that tend to occur at the worst possible times. You’re having fun one second, and your tooth is broken the next. It might be a tasty treat you bite into, a fall, or a blow to the face that does the job. Fortunately, there are multiple ways a dentist can go about saving a broken tooth.
How a dentist saves a broken tooth
One broken tooth is enough to ruin the way your smile looks regardless of how healthy the rest of your teeth look. It also puts your oral health at risk since food particles and bacteria can become lodged in the crevices created by the damage. Some of a tooth’s enamel also comes off when its structures become damaged. Enamel being lost increases the risk of the tooth becoming damaged by decay.
The treatment recommended by a dentist for a broken tooth depends on the severity of the damage to the tooth. Some of the ways a dentist might opt to fix a damaged tooth include:
1. Composite bonding
This treatment involves using a composite resin made from mixtures of glass and plastics to rebuild and repair damaged teeth. The composite is matched with the shade of the patient’s teeth, so any repairs made do not stand out.
Composite bonding is a non-invasive procedure that does not require permanent alterations to the patient’s tooth. The procedure can be completed in as little as 45 minutes, and it is typically recommended for minor damage that does not affect a tooth’s pulp chamber.
2. Crowns
Crowns are typically recommended for moderate to severe breaks. The crown helps to hold what’s left of the tooth together, and it protects it from the bite forces generated while chewing. Placing a crown on a tooth involves removing enamel from its sides, so the crown fits snuggly on it. It is a permanent alteration that cannot be reversed in the future. This means the prepared tooth will always need a crown on it to serve as its artificial enamel.
Crowns also restore the aesthetics of damaged teeth, and they can be matched with the color of the patient’s other teeth.
3. Root canal
Root canal therapy is recommended when damage to a tooth reaches its pulp chamber. The chamber holds nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels. It is sealed off from the rest of the tooth to protect the soft tissues from acids and bacteria in the mouth. Severe damage to a tooth can leave this area open, making the soft tissues in the pulp chamber vulnerable to infection.
A root canal is used to remove the soft tissues in the pulp chamber and seal the area back up.
We can fix your broken tooth
A broken tooth requires treatment regardless of how minor it is. Call or visit our Tomball clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drbohan.com or call Heather Feray Bohan, DDS, PA at (281) 864-1581 for an appointment in our Tomball office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth in Tomball, TX.
Recent Posts
There are many possible causes of a chipped tooth. Opening packages with your teeth, biting down on hard foods or objects and facial trauma can chip teeth. Whatever the cause, a chipped tooth can bring discomfort and make your teeth less appealing. Fixing a chipped tooth when you first notice it can prevent further problems.…
Dental crowns are the most popular way to restore teeth that are in bad shape due to decay, injury or other imperfections. Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many different material choices, all of which offer their own pros and cons. Keep reading to learn about three options that general dentists recommend. Outlined below…
Dental crowns are one of the versatile restorations used in dentistry. Crowns are used to save damaged teeth that cannot be saved using less invasive procedures. Damage can occur to teeth at any time, leaving them severely compromised.Placing a crown on a tooth requires making permanent alterations by removing enamel to create a better fit.…
A dental crown is a versatile restoration that can be used to address a wide range of dental issues like a cracked, chipped, decayed, deformed, or broken tooth. The crown covers up the part of the tooth that is visible above the gums, protecting it from further damage and acids made by oral bacteria.The severity…