Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Nothing is worse than having your day derailed by a dental emergency, particularly when you fracture a tooth. Whether trying to open a package or biting down on something hard, your broken tooth may cause extreme discomfort or continue suffering damage if it goes untreated. A fractured tooth is an emergency that demands a visit to the dentist as soon as possible for repairs. Sometimes a tooth is simply chipped, leaving most of the tooth’s structure intact. However, in severe cases, the tooth breaks off completely at the gum line, leaving you to wonder if it can be fixed. Our Okemos emergency dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, shares on the blog today if a tooth that’s broken at the gum line can be restored.
What causes a broken tooth?
Breaking a tooth often occurs suddenly and may be painful. The tooth could be weak from an old, large filling, has a large area of decay, or it broke while eating. However, a broken tooth can occur from clenching and grinding your teeth or during a sports or other accident-related facial injury. While accidents are tough to predict, some tooth damage cases are avoidable by taking preventative measures. For example, practicing better oral health care and visiting our Lansing area dental office for regular checkups and cleanings. Additionally, patients who participate in contact sports should wear a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth and gums. And nighttime teeth grinders should ask about a custom-made night guard to absorb pressure and protect their teeth.
What treatments are available for a broken tooth?
Each patient that visits our office for a broken tooth has a unique situation that may require one or more treatments to restore their smile. A dental crown is sometimes necessary to cover and protect the tooth. On the other hand, complete tooth replacement may be necessary for a severely broken tooth that reaches below the gum line. Below are the three most common dental treatments our East Lansing cosmetic dentist uses to repair or replace a broken tooth.
- Dental Crowns
If you have a severely damaged tooth, our cosmetic dentist in Okemos may fit you with a crown to completely cover and protect the tooth. However, teeth damaged near the gum line may require additional treatments to build the remaining tooth to support a crown.
- Root Canal
The dental pulp is the tooth’s delicate inside and may be exposed if a tooth is fractured. The pulp chamber houses the nerve and blood vessels. Our cosmetic dentist in Lansing explains that root canal therapy is sometimes necessary when the tooth roots become exposed because of enamel damage. Root canal therapy has come a long way, and modern dental practices make the procedure painless and hassle-free. A root canal involves cleaning the pulp chamber and sealing it to prepare the tooth for a permanent repair. Getting a root canal is like getting a deep filling in your tooth. The final step involves placing a custom-made dental crown over the tooth.
- Tooth Replacement
Dr. Tenaglia recommends doing anything you can to save your natural teeth, but she understands that this isn’t always feasible. An extraction may be necessary if the damage is too significant to withstand a restoration. After removing the tooth’s remaining structure, a dental implant may work as a permanent replacement. Our East Lansing implant dentist explains that getting implants to replace missing teeth is the best option when it comes to restorative dentistry. The titanium implant is surgically placed into the jawbone in place of the tooth’s root. After the jawbone heals and fuses to the implant, Dr. Tenaglia attaches a specially designed dental crown, providing a new biting surface.
Which treatment is right for me?
That will depend on your oral health and the condition of your damaged tooth. Dr. Tenaglia will assess your condition and provide the best options for you. So, schedule a consultation to learn more today.
Cosmetic Dentist in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Preventative measures are always preferable when dealing with health issues. Limiting sugar intake, protecting teeth with a sports guard when engaging in your chosen activity, and avoiding using your teeth as tools are all ways to lessen the likelihood of a tooth fracture. Our Okemos emergency dentist warns that an untreated fractured tooth left for an extended period is at risk of decay, infection, and even an abscess, all of which may be harmful to your overall health. So, if you live or are visiting the Okemos, Lansing, or East Lansing area and have a dental emergency, please contact Tenaglia Smiles by calling (517) 347-6733.