Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for your overall health and well-being. But accidents can occur sometimes and your teeth may sustain damage or decay. Tooth damage happens for various reasons, including decay, trauma, and infection. Seek dental treatment right away to prevent the damage from getting worse and restore your oral health. A dentist in Kokomo, Indiana provides different treatment options to repair or replace your damaged tooth. Such treatments can restore your teeth’s appearance and function. In turn, this improves your oral health and boosts your self-confidence.
Kinds of Tooth Damage
The kind of dental procedure you undergo to fix a damaged tooth depends on the kind of damage. Below are different kinds of tooth damage that a dentist can fix:
- Cracked tooth. A cracked or fractured tooth causes the entire tooth to be damaged even if it stays intact. Chewing with a cracked tooth can result in serious pain and various health problems like infections. Visit a dentist as soon as possible if you have a cracked tooth.
- Chipped tooth. A tooth can chip if a small part of it has broken off. This can occur to any portion of a tooth; however, it’s usually the easiest kind of tooth damage to address.
- Split tooth. A split tooth can happen when it has broken apart or been fractured. At this point, it’s no longer possible to save the tooth. Usually, you may need to get a dental implant to replace the tooth.
How to Fix a Damaged Tooth
Your dentist will choose a procedure to fix a damaged tooth depending on your specific circumstances and budget. Below are the most popular options:
- Dental bonding. This treatment option involves applying a composite material to the damaged tooth. The material is carefully chosen to match the color of your teeth. Your dentist will shape the material as needed before hardening it with a UV light.
- Dental veneer. A dental veneer is designed to cover the front of your tooth. It is used to conceal dental flaws. Dental veneers last for a long time when you practice proper oral hygiene. Typically, they are used to fix chipped teeth.
- Dental crown. A crown is an ideal option to fix a broken tooth. It covers the whole tooth to stabilize it and make sure the damage doesn’t get worse. By getting a dental crown, you can continue to use the damaged tooth without experiencing pain.
- Root canal treatment. if the tooth break reaches the pulp chamber, your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment to save your tooth. The dentist will remove the pulp and nerve from the tooth, eliminating the pain you experience. The procedure ends with placing a crown over the treated tooth to prevent further damage.
- Inlays and onlays. These options are custom-made to repair and replace decayed or damaged teeth. Typically, they are used if the damage on the tooth is too significant for a dental filling, but not big enough for a crown. Inlays are used if the cusps do not have damage while onlays cover cusps.
- Dental implants. If damage in your tooth is beyond repair, tooth extraction may be necessary. In this case, your dentist may recommend a dental implant to replace the tooth you will lose. The procedure involves surgically placing a metal post into your jaw. When settled, your dentist will place an artificial tooth into the frame. This tooth is picked carefully, so it looks and functions like a natural tooth.
If you have suffered tooth damage, call your dentist and book an appointment. The dentist can fix the problem with the right procedure. They will choose the most durable and least intrusive restoration possible.
