What Happens When You Visit an Emergency Dentist After a Breaking a Tooth

Breaking a tooth is a traumatic experience that demands an immediate appointment with the emergency dentist. Tooth fracture or breakage usually occurs from injury or biting on hard substance or cavity, and it affects the appearance of your smile. When you visit the emergency dentist, you can expect to get professional guidance on the best option to restore the damaged tooth.

What to do after breaking a tooth

When a person suspects they have a broken tooth, they can evaluate the situation by checking the mirror or running their tongue over the affected tooth. It is normal for the pressure on the tooth to cause pain after a breakage. The extent of the pain depends on the level of damage to the tooth nerves. Tooth breakage that causes pain should be checked by the dentist immediately.

If it is a minor chip, a trip to the emergency dentist might not be necessary. Although patients cannot fix a broken tooth themselves, they can take preventative measures to alleviate the pain and prevent further damage. The basic rule is to avoid chewing around the affected tooth until they can get to the dentist.

Treatments provided by the dentist for a broken tooth

When a patient visits the emergency dentist after breaking a tooth, the dental professional will recommend any of the following treatments to restore the patient’s smile.

Composite bonding

Bonding is one of the preferred cosmetic dentistry procedures for repairing decayed and discolored teeth, but it is also effective for fixing broken or chipped teeth. The popularity also stems from the durability of the procedure, as it can last up to 10 years. The dentist can build up the broken tooth with composite resin and customize it to match the shade of existing teeth.

Dental crowns

A crown is a protective covering that covers the tooth to protect the tooth and restore function and natural appearance. Dental crowns are one of the most common options for fixing broken teeth because they offer many benefits. The dentist may need to shave down the tooth before placing the crown, which may be made from porcelain or composite material.  They may also need to use LANAP, a periodontal laser procedure that uses PerioLase, to restore damaged gums. 

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of porcelain materials bonded onto the teeth. They are highly popular because the results are durable, natural and attractive. Although porcelain veneers sometimes come at a high cost, they can help restore the beauty of the damaged tooth.

Root canal

A badly damaged tooth usually requires a root canal, supported by the placement of a dental crown for protection and aesthetics. The emergency dentist will remove the infected or damaged part and the tooth nerves during a root canal procedure. Many people erroneously believe that the procedure is painful, but most patients experience minimal discomfort and the dentist can save a tooth that would otherwise be lost.

Dental implants

If the crack or breakage happens along the gum line, the dentist cannot save the tooth and tooth extraction may be recommended. A cosmetic dentist may recommend dental implants as an effective way of replacing the lost tooth.

Final note

If you have broken a tooth, do not hesitate to visit the emergency dentist immediately. A quick visit may help prevent further damages and complete tooth loss.

Request an appointment here: https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com or call Casas Adobes Dentistry at (520) 365-0559 for an appointment in our Tucson office.