What Can I Do for My Damaged Tooth?
May 16, 2018
Damaging a tooth can be quite a traumatic experience, and it can feel like an emergency. In many situations, it is. The urgency of the individual situation will depend on the severity of the damage. In any situation with damage to the tooth, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as you can. If you have significant damage to the structure of your tooth, it can endanger your tooth. Fortunately, damaged teeth can often be cleared of danger with the appropriate restoration. For example, a tooth with minor damage may only need a cosmetic treatment like bonding to restore the tooth. However, there may be times that a tooth may be so damaged that it cannot be restored. In the severest of cases, extracting and replacing the tooth may be best for the health of your smile.
Restoring Damage
When a tooth is broken, it can effect your ability to chew. It can leave the tooth susceptible to bacteria entering the damaged area to decay the enamel. Damaged enamel is also weaker and vulnerable to damage that can worsen the situation. Restoring a tooth with a dental crown can provide protection for a weak, vulnerable tooth. A crown is customized for your smile based on precise digital measurements of your tooth and mouth. However, if your tooth is only affected by minor surface-level damage, it may not require full coverage from a crown. Dental bonding is the same material used in tooth-colored fillings and it can restore the appearance and function of a chipped or slightly cracked tooth.
Replacement for Your Smile’s Sake
Unfortunately, tooth damage can be so severe that it only leaves behind a minimal amount of natural tooth structure. If this is the case or if the root of the tooth has been significantly damaged, it may not be able to be restored. For the sake of your smile’s health, it may be recommended for you to extract and replace your damaged tooth.
Do Not Ignore a Damaged Tooth
Restoring a damaged tooth is important to your smile’s health. To schedule a consultation with our experts, call Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.