When to See a General Dentist for a Broken Tooth

If you have a broken tooth, you probably want to address the issue as soon as you can. Depending on the severity of the break, you may have some pain and discomfort in your mouth. A fractured tooth can also impact your smile, especially if a front tooth is damaged. There are times when a quick trip to the dentist’s office is necessary to restore the tooth and regain the full function of your mouth.

Available treatments for a broken tooth

It is first important to understand what types of restorative treatments the dentist may use to repair a fractured tooth. Some are more applicable in case of minor breaks, while others are more involved and are useful for more significant injuries. Using bonding to fill in the missing part of a tooth may be the right option for smaller fractures. If a molar is broken and has decay, the dentist may opt to do a root canal and cover the tooth with a crown. For broken front teeth, a porcelain veneer makes sense. Both crowns and veneers are durable and allow the patient to eat most foods.

The break is noticeable

A minor chip on a back tooth probably will not be a major aesthetic concern for a patient. In this situation, the person might be able to wait a few weeks or even months before seeing a general dentist. However, if a front tooth breaks, the person will likely feel self-conscious about the flaw and be embarrassed. For cosmetic reasons, it is a good idea to see the dentist right away if a front tooth is broken. The dentist can restore the person’s smile with a natural-looking solution.

There is considerable pain

A broken tooth is not only a cosmetic concern, but it can hurt too. The pain can be constant and severe, making it difficult to eat or even speak. If the discomfort continues to increase, there is a good chance the tooth has decay or is infected. Without prompt help from a general dentist, the person may risk losing the tooth entirely. The dentist can first relieve the patient’s pain and then use the right method to restore it.

It is a permanent tooth

With young patients, the dentist may decide to pull out the broken tooth if it is a baby tooth. However, it is often worth trying to salvage a permanent tooth. Anyone who breaks a permanent tooth should call the dentist right away. Many offices can make same-day appointments in these cases.

Be aware and seek help right away

A broken tooth is ordinarily an emergency that patients should not ignore. Broken teeth can hinder a person’s self-esteem because of the way their smile looks. If you have broken a tooth, you may also have intense pain that will not go away on its own. The tooth could also become infected, and the infection could spread. If you have a fractured tooth, call your dentist right away so you can regain your attractive smile and maintain your oral health.

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