If you crack or chip a piece off your tooth, it can be difficult to decide whether that warrants a visit to your emergency dentist in DeSoto, especially since there might not be any pain. It should be noted, however, that whenever your tooth gets damaged like this, you should definitely see your dentist as soon as possible. In many cases, they offer several different treatment options that can be customized to meet your needs. If you have a chipped tooth, keep reading to learn what you need to do and how your dentist can help you.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Your Tooth?
Not treating a chipped tooth can lead to the fracture spreading to the sensitive center of the tooth, resulting in the mother of all toothaches. You might need a serious and potentially costly procedure like a root canal to treat the tooth. The tooth might even have to be extracted!
What to Do Immediately After You Chip Your Tooth
First things first, call your dentist and let them know you’ve injured your tooth. They should be able to get you in for an appointment as soon as humanly possible to treat your dental injury. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is any bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a piece of gauze or cloth. If for some reason you don’t get an appointment with your dentist until the next day, visit your local drugstore and buy some dental cement. Apply it to the chipped tooth to protect it until you get to your dentist’s office.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Depending on the extent of your dental damage, your dentist may recommend one of the following treatments:
- Dental crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that slips over a tooth to protect it from further damage. Crowns are commonly used to treat cracked or chipped teeth and restore them to their original function.
- Porcelain veneer. This ultra-thin ceramic shell would be bonded to the front surface of your tooth to restore it cosmetically as well as structurally.
- Dental bonding. Your dentist can use a tooth-colored composite resin material to sculpt your tooth back into its original shape.
The most important thing to remember here is that even if it’s not bothering you, you should still see your emergency dentist to treat your chipped tooth. Seeking treatment now can save you a lot of money and time down the road!
About the Author
Dr. Suzanne Najjar earned her doctorate in dentistry from Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, she has undergone dental implant training from the Advanced Dental Implant Research and Implant Center, one of the world’s leading dental institutions. If you end up needing to replace your broken tooth, you can trust that she can replace it with a dental implant. Her practice also offers all of the chipped tooth treatments listed above. If you’re in need of an emergency dentist in DeSoto, click here to visit Dr. Najjar’s website.