If you have a fracture or crack in one of your teeth, this is something you definitely don't want to ignore. Once you have a fractured tooth it will be at an increased risk of completely breaking, as well as having other dental problems arise from it. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine you have a fractured tooth if it is very small. In fact, the dentist may need to use a special dye on the tooth for them to be able to see it. Some fractures can be painless, while others can be extremely painful. Either way, you want to get in as soon as you think you may have one. Here are some of the ways a fractured tooth can be treated, so you have a better idea of what to expect when you go in with one:
A crown may be put on the tooth – In many cases, the dentist may want to put a crown on the tooth to protect it. The tooth can't be left alone with a fracture, or you will more than likely be back in the office in the near future with a cavity or a severe break. A crown will be made to fit over the prepared tooth and cemented permanently in place. It will be designed to look like it naturally belongs in your mouth, so no one will even suspect it's not your real tooth. You may even be able to have a same day dental crown put on the tooth.
Bonding may be put on the tooth – Your dentist may choose to use bonding to treat the fracture in your tooth. If they go this route, the tooth will first be prepared and then they will put the bonding material on it and shape it with handheld dental tools until it looks like the rest of your teeth. Once the dentist is done applying and shaping the bonding, they will use a special light to harden the bonding and then polish the tooth.
Veneers may be put on the tooth - A veneer may be another option. The dentist can put a veneer on the prepared tooth that looks and feels just like a natural tooth, so you or anyone else won't be able to tell anything was done.
A root canal may need to be done – In some of the more extreme cases, the dentist may want to do a root canal on the tooth with the fracture in it. If the fracture has caused root damage, a root canal will take care of the problem while allowing you to keep the tooth.
Share27 December 2017
