A fractured tooth requires emergency dentistry if the damage to the tooth affects its inner chambers. A fractured tooth can be caused by a variety of things like trauma from sports/accidents, biting on hard foods and bruxism.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many dentists limiting their services to only emergency dentistry to reduce the risk the virus poses to dentists and their patients. Many oral health professionals are now using video conferencing tools to diagnose patients and to help them determine if they need emergency dental care.
There are a variety of ways to go about treating fractured teeth. The procedure the dentist recommends depends on the tooth's location and the severity of the fracture. Common treatments used to fix fractured teeth include:
This is typically the cheapest way to fix a fractured tooth and it is usually used for mild to moderate fractures. It involves covering the tooth with a composite resin that is color-matched with the rest of the patient's teeth. The composite is shaped as desired before being hardened with a curing light. The process of composite bonding does not require any permanent alterations being made to the tooth. It only requires using an etching solution to roughen up the tooth. The patient is still free to cover up the fracture with some other restoration, like crowns, in the future.
Crowns can be used for moderate to severe fractures. The tooth is prepared for the crown by removing enamel from all its sides. Reshaping the tooth creates a better fit for the crown. The crown is customized for the patient using an impression or digital images of their teeth. A crown prevents the tooth from breaking apart and protects it from bite forces generated when chewing.
Root canals can be used to save severely fractured teeth with compromised pulp chambers. The procedure involves drilling a hole into the tooth and using files to remove the blood vessels and nerve. This helps to prevent the tooth from becoming infected. The dentist finishes the procedure by sealing the tooth and covering it up with a crown. A tooth that has been restored with a root canal can last the rest of the patient's life.
This option is typically explored when the tooth is severely damaged as a result of the fracture. The dentist might opt for a surgical or simple extraction depending on how much of the tooth is left. An extraction counts as oral surgery and it can take up to two weeks to recover from it. The dentist will usually replace the extracted tooth with an implant, which is the next best thing to real teeth. Only a small percentage of fractured teeth require extraction.
We are currently providing emergency dentistry despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Call or visit our Rego Park clinic to get the process started.
Request an appointment here: https://regopark.aaadentalny.com or call Rego Park Dental at (718) 275-3311 for an appointment in our Rego Park office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental implants can improve your oral health and appearance. There are many benefits to choosing this tooth-replacement method. Of course, implants are not the only way you can restore your smile and the function of your mouth. However, as you learn more about them, you will see why so many people choose this treatment. Living…
A root canal is a dental technique devised to treat infection or damage within the pulp (the innermost chamber) of the tooth. While the procedure has a reputation for being painful, thanks to anesthetics, it is often no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.While there is no recovery period after getting a root canal, proper…
Laser dentistry may be the ideal choice for people looking for a new approach to dental care. The dentist uses lasers for a number of dental treatments. It provides a precise and sophisticated method of treating patients' oral health problems comfortably and effectively.Dentists use lasers to alter or remove hard or soft tissues in the…
The term dental restoration refers to a number of procedures used to repair or restore function and aesthetics to teeth that are in bad shape, whether it be due to cavities, imperfections, or abnormalities. Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many different types of dental restorations, including dental fillings, which are typically the…
Dental implants can improve your oral health and appearance. There are many benefits to choosing this tooth-replacement method. Of course, implants are not the only way you can restore your smile and the function of your mouth. However, as you learn more about them, you will see why so many people choose this treatment. Living…
A root canal is a dental technique devised to treat infection or damage within the pulp (the innermost chamber) of the tooth. While the procedure has a reputation for being painful, thanks to anesthetics, it is often no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.While there is no recovery period after getting a root canal, proper…
