At your company softball game, out of nowhere, a ball impacted with your mouth. After a few minutes of panicking and stopping your lip from bleeding, you realized your tooth was chipped. Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can help you react quickly so you can get the treatment you need before it’s too late. You’re worried that this accident will have a lasting impact on your smile, but lucky for you, an emergency dentist in Sugar House can help! Read on for 4 ways they can treat your dental dilemma and repair your permanent tooth.
Repairing a Damaged Permanent Tooth
If you chip, fracture, or break your tooth in an accident, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage such as infection. The treatment that your professional will administer will depend on the severity of the damage. Before you head from the ballpark to your emergency dentist, be sure to cover any jagged edges with a piece of wax or sugar-free chewing gum to keep it from cutting your mouth.
Dental Filling or Bonding
If only a small portion of your tooth has chipped off, your dentist can quickly and easily repair it with a filling, or if the damage is in a visible area toward the front of your mouth, they’ll fix it with dental bonding. Cosmetic bonding is can be completed in as little as an hour and doesn’t require any kind of anesthesia or numbing. Your dentist will simply etch the surface of a tooth-colored composite resin to help it bond with your damaged tooth. After that, they’ll apply an adhesive and the resin to your tooth, shape it to mimic the natural look, and cure it with a special light.
Dental Crown
If a larger piece of a tooth breaks off or is affected by serious dental decay, your dentist may remove any decayed parts and cover it with a crown to protect it from harmful oral bacteria and further damage. This restoration helps repair the function and strength of your tooth and is a long-lasting and durable solution.
This process typically takes a couple of visits to your dentist, one to take impressions and prepare your tooth for your custom-crafted crown, and one to bond it once it’s made. While it may seem like a hassle, dental crowns can help save your oral health and maintain your great smile for years to come.
Root Canal Therapy
Leaving a damaged tooth untreated could result in serious consequences because it leaves your pearly white vulnerable to harmful oral bacteria. When you crack or chip a tooth, it can leave the inner portion that houses a collection of nerves, susceptible to being attacked. Once harmful bacteria infect this portion of your tooth, it could cause a variety of symptoms such as severe toothaches, fevers, facial swelling, and tooth sensitivity. It’s imperative to treat this issue as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading.
If the damage is still manageable, your dentist will recommend removing the infected pulp of your tooth with root canal therapy. After the procedure is completed and your tooth is sanitized, it will be topped off and protected by a dental crown to prevent further damage and keep bacteria out.
There’s no need to worry, your emergency dentist can repair damaged permanent teeth due to trauma, you just need to act quickly and seek treatment as soon as possible. Save yourself headaches down the road by getting the help you need now!
About the Author
Dr. Charles Walker has been practicing dentistry since 1987. With decades of experience and knowledge, he looks forward to giving his patients the highest quality of reliable care. He is also an active member of multiple professional organizations so he can keep up to date with the latest technology and treatment advancements in his field. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Confident Brilliant Smiles’ website or contact 801-467-6886.