A broken tooth is never a fun experience but a General Dentist can help you to fix it. It is one of the most common dental injuries dentists deal with, and it can be the result of chewing on something hard or being hit in the face during an accident or sports. Teeth are more likely to become broken when they have been weakened by tooth decay.
How our general dentist fixes broken teeth
Anyone who has a broken tooth should talk to a general dentist as soon as they can. A tooth being broken makes it more likely to be infected which can end up causing the person to lose the tooth. A broken tooth is also more fragile than an intact one, so it is more likely to be damaged by bite forces.
Here are some of the ways our general dentist can fix your broken tooth:
1. Composite bonding
Composite resin or dental fillings can be used to restore a broken tooth. This approach is typically used for less severe breaks. Composite resins are mixtures of plastics and glass that can be color-matched with teeth. The putty-like material is applied directly to a tooth after it has been prepared with an etching solution. It is shaped as desired, then it is hardened with a curing light. The composite is added in layers until the desired look is achieved.
2. Crowns
Dental crowns are used to treat broken teeth when the damage is more severe. The crown covers the visible part of the tooth and it protects it from further damage. The crown also restores the tooth’s appearance and function.
The process of installing a dental crown requires the dentist to remove portions of enamel from the damaged tooth. This creates a better fit for the crown. Crowns are customized prosthetics, so the general dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth and send it to a dental lab that makes crowns. It takes around two weeks for the finished crown to get back to the dentist.
In the meantime, the patient will receive a temporary crown. The temporary crown is removed when the customized crown is ready.
3. Root canal
A root canal can be performed when damage to a broken tooth opens up the pulp chamber where the tooth’s nerve and blood vessels are. This leaves the tooth vulnerable to infection and the person might also experience severe toothaches.
Root canal therapy involves the dentists drilling a hole into the damaged tooth and using files to remove the soft tissues in the pulp chamber. The area is disinfected before the dentist seals it back up. Depending on the location of the tooth, the dentist might strengthen it with a composite resin or protect it with a crown.
Get your broken tooth fixed
Call or visit our Auburn clinic to learn more about how our dentist can fix your broken tooth. Our dentist will explore your options with you.
Let’s get started…
Request an appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn office.
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