A broken tooth is one of the most common dental injuries. Such damage can ruin the way a tooth looks, and it can leave you writhing in pain. A broken tooth might be caused by trauma to the face or biting on something too hard. Teeth that have already been weakened by tooth decay are more likely to break when exposed to bite forces or trauma.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a broken tooth might also count as a dental emergency. This is often the case when the damage compromises the tooth’s pulp chamber. This is the inner chamber of the tooth that contains its nerve and blood vessels. These soft tissues are vulnerable to infection once the pulp chamber has been opened up.
Treatments like composite bonding and fillings can be used to treat minor breaks on teeth, but more severe damage to a tooth often requires the placement of a crown. It starts with an examination of the patient’s tooth to determine the severity of the injury. The dentist will perform a visual inspection of the affected tooth and x-rays might be used to peek into its inner chambers.
If the damage to the tooth reaches its pulp chamber, the dentist will recommend a root canal to clean out the soft tissues in the pulp chamber. This involves drilling a hole and using dental files to remove soft tissues from the area. Medication is applied and the tooth is sealed with gutta-percha to complete the root canal. The tooth is then covered with a crown to protect it.
Placing a crown on a tooth usually involves removing enamel from all of its sides. This is done to ensure a snug fit with the crown. If the patient’s tooth has been badly damaged by the injury, the dentist might use a filling to rebuild the tooth so it can hold a crown.
Once the patient’s tooth has been prepared for a crown, they are asked to bite down on a mold that takes an impression of their teeth. The mold is sent to a dental lab where restorations like crowns are made. It takes about two weeks for the customized crown to get back to the dentist. A temporary crown is used to protect the prepared tooth for the time being.
The patient comes in for a second appointment when the customized crown is ready. The temporary crown comes off and the customized crown is cemented into place. Adjustments are made as needed until the dentist and patient are satisfied with how the restoration looks. The damaged tooth should have its appearance and function fully restored at this point. The crown will protect the tooth from bite forces when it is being used, and it will prevent it from breaking apart.
A broken tooth is more likely to become decayed or infected when left untreated. Give us a call or visit our Grand Blanc clinic to schedule a consultation with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://smilefreshdentalgrandblanc.com or call Smile Fresh Dental at (810) 515-7083 for an appointment in our Grand Blanc office.
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