In our last blog, we discussed what you should do if you accidentally chip one of your pearly whites. This may happen if you bite into something too hard or suffer a hit to the face. When you chip or crack a dental structure, a small amount of it may come off and cause discomfort. Fractures are another common oral health emergency that should be treated promptly. Dr. Browne’s team in Prairie Village, KS, can help address this injury and protect your smile.
Breaking A Tooth Can Be Alarming And Painful
Our teeth are impressively strong, but this does not mean they can withstand all types of harm. When you break a tooth, a significant piece of it fractures off and may expose the inner layers. This can cause extreme sensitivity, discomfort, and bleeding in some scenarios. An injury like this can happen if you bite into something too hard, a blow to the face, or if your teeth have become weakened over time. For instance, conditions like bruxism can cause you to chronically grind your teeth together and wear them down. This can make your pearly whites more sensitive and prone to injuries.
Have The Area Examined As Soon As Possible
If you do experience this type of emergency, it’s important that you remain calm so that you can call your dentist. Don’t wait to have the area looked at. Instead, call your dental team as soon as possible so that you can come in for an urgent visit. Minor injuries such as chips or toothaches may be relieved with a cold compress and over-the-counter pain reducers, but a broken tooth may not be as easy to ignore. When you call your team, they may be able to instruct you on what to do until your appointment. If possible, keep the fragments in a clean bag and avoid anything that could irritate the area.
A Crown Can Protect And Restore The Area
When you come in for your emergency visit, the area will be examined to assess the level of harm. In many cases, a dental crown may be used to help protect and restore your pearly whites. This is a cap that will be placed over the area. It can help restrengthen the area and help you with functions like chewing comfortably. Crowns can be made of zirconia, porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal depending on where it will be added. If the injury is more severe, the structure may need to be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic option.
Call Our Team When You Need Emergency Care
A broken tooth can cause discomfort and distress. Dr. Browne’s team in Prairie Village, KS, can help guide you through this situation. Call our team today at 913-901-8585.