It is normal for people to experience chipped or broken teeth. You may lose your tooth while playing your favorite sport or when biting an almond or a chunk of ice. Your dentist may need to perform restorative procedures if you have intense pain, cavities, and cracks visible during x-rays.
Note that not all dental emergencies require immediate attention. But if the damage is irreparable and needs a quick fix, here is how you can address the pain and avoid any serious infection.
Cosmetic contouring is done when in case of minor damage. The dentist polishes the surface or smoothes a broken tooth edge. But if your tooth enamel is chipped away, your dentist will apply a dental filling and repair it. In bonding, Our West Des Moines dentist will scrape the surface of your tooth and apply a conditioning liquid, followed by an adhesive substance, and lastly, apply tooth-colored composite resin.
In case of tooth loss, your dentist will cap it with a crown to protect the tooth from further damage and to preserve its function. If your tooth pulp is exposed, there is a high chance of pulp infection. Your dentist, in this case, will remove the dead pulp with a root canal and later cap the tooth with a crown.
Your front chipped tooth can look healthy and flawless by applying a dental veneer. Specially created and customized as per your needs, veneers are applied with special cement over the surface of your existing tooth.
Molars contain more than one root. If one root is fractured, a root amputation or a hemisection is done to save the remaining tooth. The tooth will need a root canal and crown procedure.
Deeper the crack, more are the chances of tooth extraction. A root canal is sometimes not enough to save your tooth. Thus, tooth extraction might be the last resort for your dentist.
Chipped tooth repair costs vary according to the severity of the issue. A dental bonding procedure costs a few hundred dollars while a root canal and a crown procedure cost a few thousand.
Most of your dental repair costs are covered under your dental insurance. However, cosmetic dental procedures are not covered by many insurers.
If you have a knocked-out tooth, excessive pain, or bleeding, do see your dentist in West Des Moines and get expert care.
Related article: Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Causes, Early Detection, and Treatment