A broken tooth represents much more than a mere inconvenience. Broken teeth are a direct threat to your oral health and your biological health as a whole. Thankfully, we have the skills and tools to treat your broken teeth. If one of your teeth breaks, it might be necessary to wait a full day or longer before you can see the dentist.
Alternatively, if the break is significant or if several teeth break, you should do everything possible to meet with an emergency dentist right away. Below, we explain what dentists can do to treat broken teeth so they are visibly appealing and functional in the years to come.
A tooth with a minor chip is not a dental emergency. We can remedy such a chip with dental bonding. This approach requires the placement of layering upon a sturdy, tooth-hued material that restores the shape of the tooth. This procedure only take a single appointment. The bonding material looks just like regular teeth as its shade is similar to that of adjacent teeth.
While such bonding material can wear away as time progresses and require eventual replacement, it will serve as a fantastic chip repair solution. Minor chips can even be repaired with porcelain veneers that cover the full front of the tooth rather than the chipped portion.
If the break is large, the repair process will prove more challenging. Large chips that have not exposed or affected the pulp portion of the tooth will likely require a crown or veneer. The placement of such a restoration will likely require at least two visits. The dentist will shape the remaining structure before adding a crown or veneer.
Professionals will make the permanent restoration in a dental lab. The dentist will apply a temporary restoration like a crown or veneer. Once the permanent restoration is ready, it will go on your tooth and you will barely notice the difference from the other natural teeth.
Do not delay your visit to the dentist's office if the chip is considerable and exposes/damages tooth pulp. Such a break will likely be quite painful and undoubtedly necessitate prompt care. A crown will be necessary along with root canal therapy. Such a procedure requires the removal of the infected or exposed pulp tissue from the interior of the tooth. It will also be necessary to seal the inner portion, known as the pulp chamber, as well. It will also be necessary to seal the thin canals that move on down through the roots.
While the root canal procedure might sound a bit complicated, it is routine work for an experienced dentist. Do not be afraid of a root canal to remedy your broken tooth. This procedure is performed with local anesthesia. It does not feel any different than a cavity filling yet it will likely take a bit longer than the filling of a cavity.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Oak Tree Dental, request an appointment in our McLean dental office here: https://www.oaktreedentalashburn.com. Or call us at (703) 763-5239.
While taking care of a dental implant is relatively easy, one needs to be careful and keep the teeth in strong shape.Dental implant restorations not only replace missing teeth, but they are sturdy and long-lasting. Invest in a dental solution for your missing teeth that does not require extra cleaning steps or excessive checkups.Dental Implant…
While brushing is crucial for oral health, it can't restore the shade of one's teeth or correct alignment.We can restore teeth that have been damaged in an accident or have become infected. We have a variety of ways to do so including veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants and more.Dental RestorationsAt Oak Tree Dental in McLean,…
There's no reason to struggle with pain or an incomplete smile. Seek restorative dentistry options today.Restorative dentistry allows us to restore damage to teeth including teeth that are knocked out, cracked, chipped, broken and more. We will restore your teeth to a functional and natural-looking state.Restorative DentistryAt Oak Tree Dental in McLean, we work to…
A smile makeover can come in many forms. While you may think of this mostly as something that restores the look and function of teeth, gums can pose problems too. A common issue is what is known as a gummy smile. This occurs when more of a person’s gums than their teeth show when they…
Patients in good health should schedule preventive dentistry cleaning appointments at least twice a year,…
This article discusses how zirconia is used to make dental crowns and the benefits of…
Fixing dental issues with tooth-colored dental fillings is a non-invasive procedure that can be completed…
If your child needs braces, your orthodontist may recommend Invisalign® for teens instead.
Many patients have one or more issues that negatively impact their teeth. Our dentist can…
Patients considering dental crowns may have concerns regarding the recovery period following the procedure.