Suffering from an accident that results in a broken tooth isn't just scary, but very painful as well. However, it's important that you try to remain calm and not panic about the situation. Knowing what to do about a broken tooth and how it can be fixed will be crucial to helping you out in this situation. Here are three questions that you may have about your broken tooth.
Should You Save The Tooth?
If a tooth is broken and you are able to recover the pieces, it is always worth holding onto them until you can visit a dentist. Put the portion of the tooth in a cup of milk so that it doesn't dry out. If the chunk of the tooth that broke off is substantial enough, it is possible for the dentist to attach it back to your tooth.
How Can You Protect The Tooth In Your Mouth?
You'll want to take steps to prevent debris from getting into your broken tooth until you are able to get to a dentist. It is a good idea to place dental wax on the broken portion for a couple reasons. The wax will stop debris from touching an exposed portion of the tooth, and it will smooth out any sharp edges that are on the tooth and causing discomfort.
How Will The Tooth Be Fixed?
Your dentist will provide you with a couple solutions in order to fix your broken tooth. If the broken portion can be attached, a dentist can do so using dental bonding material. Even if the broken portion of the tooth was not saved, bonding material can be used to rebuild the tooth. Another option is to place a dental crown on the tooth that would fit right over the broken portion. This may involve shaving down more of the tooth in order to make the crown fit.
If the tooth has a significant portion broken off, the best alternative may be to use a titanium dental implant. The process will involve pulling the remaining part of the tooth still in the jawbone and replacing it with a titanium post. After the implant has integrated with the jawbone, a permanent crown will be placed on top that looks and feels like a real tooth. If you do not want a dental implant, a dental bridge is another option that will anchor a crown between the two healthy teeth that surround your broken tooth.
For more information, contact a dental clinic like Liberty Dental Center.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.