If you’ve harmed your smile, Dr. Browne’s team in Prairie Village, KS, can help assess the injury and do their best to restore it. In many cases, they may be able to bring relief to an ongoing ache or repair a broken tooth. Occasionally, though, a seriously injured tooth may need to be removed to protect your oral health. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss when and why this may be necessary.
Restoring Your Tooth After It Has Been Damaged
Even with the best oral hygiene routine and dental care, you can experience a dental emergency. If you have chipped, cracked, or damaged one of your pearly whites, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible so the injury can be examined and treated. Common injuries like chips and cracks may be treated by placing a dental crown over the area. This is a cap that covers the top of the dental structure and protects it from further harm. Minor damage, such as a chipped surface, may be treated with dental bonding if the injury is not too severe. Other urgent situations, like persistent aches, may be addressed with a dental filling or root canal if this has been caused by a cavity.
When Removal Is Deemed Necessary
When you come in for an urgent visit, your dentist will thoroughly examine the area and assess the severity of the harm. In many cases, restorations can be done to repair your pearly whites and maintain your oral health. In some cases, though, extracting your tooth may be the best way to keep your smile safe. For example, if a large part of your dental structure has been broken or the area is infected, removing it can protect the rest of your smile from injuries. The area will be numbed so that you can feel comfortable throughout your procedure, your dental structure will be carefully removed, and gauze may be placed to minimize bleeding. Your dentist will give you specific aftercare instructions to ensure the area heals properly.
Replacing Your Lost Tooth
After you have recovered from the extraction, a prosthetic replacement can be added to fill the gap in your smile. It’s important to replace your missing pearly whites so that you can properly chew and speak. For patients who have several dental structures missing in the same row, a dental bridge may be used fill the gap. Dental implants may be used to mimic the root and crown of a lost tooth. This option provides support for your jaw and improves the function of your smile.
Call Us When You Need Urgent Dental Care
Dr. Browne’s team in Prairie Village, KS, can help treat your dental emergency and restore your smile. To schedule an appointment with our team, call 913-901-8585.