A general dentist can provide the treatment you need if you are dealing with a broken tooth. Teeth are the strongest part of the body, but they can be damaged by acids created by oral bacteria, the pressure created by bite forces or trauma to the face.
A broken tooth can be classified as a dental emergency if it is accompanied by bleeding coming from inside the tooth or excruciating pain. This is often a sign the tooth's pulp chamber has been affected by the damage.
There are a few things a general dentist can do to stop any pain and discomfort associated with a broken tooth and to restore the tooth's appearance and function. Some of the more common ways dentists deal with broken teeth include:
Composite resins are one of the more economical ways to restore a broken tooth. The composite is applied to the tooth in layers and it is hardened with a curing light. Composites can be color-matched with the rest of a patient's teeth, so the restored tooth looks just like the rest of the patient's teeth. Composites are typically used to treat minor breaks or chips.
A dental crown might be recommended if a patient has a severely broken tooth. Crowns cover the visible part of the damaged tooth so bacteria and acids in the mouth cannot cause further damage. Crowns also protect teeth from bite forces and they improve the appearance of teeth.
The installation of a crown requires the general dentist to remove portions of enamel. This creates a better fit for the crown. This is an irreversible procedure, so the tooth will always need to be covered up with a dental crown moving forward.
Root canals are often performed when a broken tooth has a compromised pulp chamber. Such injuries often come with pain and bleeding. The procedure involves the dentist drilling a hole into the tooth and using a series of files to remove the soft tissues in the pulp chamber.
The dentist then disinfects the pulp chamber before closing it up with fillings. The tooth is typically covered with a crown to complete the treatment. Root canals make it possible for dentists to save severely damaged teeth. There is no recovery period after the treatment.
If the damage to a tooth is severe enough, the dentist might be forced to extract it. This is typically done as a last resort when it is clear the tooth will fall out anyway since most of its structures have already been damaged.
A dentist might also decide to extract a tooth if it is one of the wisdom teeth. These are not necessary, so extractions are often recommended if wisdom teeth become broken.
Call or visit our Chicago clinic to learn more about how our dentist can fix your broken tooth.
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