However it happens, it is important that you visit your dentist to have the tooth treated professionally. Leaving the tooth with a crack or chip in it can not only be painful in some cases, but if left untreated by not seeing a dentist or arranging cosmetic dentistry, could lead to infection, inflammation, gum disease and losing the tooth altogether. There are some home dental kits out on the market that claim to help you fix your own chipped or cracked teeth but invariably they are only temporary measures that you should take to protect the tooth before seeking professional help.
The injuries that you can treat before getting an appointment with your dentist are as follows:
• Enamel fractures
• Enamel and dentin fractures
• Craze lines
Injuries that must be treated as dental emergencies and will require treatment that could include dental implants and cosmetic dentistry are as follows:
• Enamel dentin and pulp fractures which present as broken or chipped teeth with moderate to severe pain and showing signs of light to dark red components,
• Horizontal and vertical root fractures which are not visible but present as persistent and severe pain,
• Tooth concussion shows the tooth as tender to touch, slightly loose and with some bleeding from the gum line,
• Tooth displacement with intrusions into the bone or angled out of normal alignment, and • Tooth completely knocked out of the mouth.
Temporary home remedies for broken or chipped teeth that are not dental emergencies:
Craze lines
These are very fine superficial lines or cracks in the enamel of the tooth and generally there is no sensation of pain but if not treated, can lead to larger stress fractures. You will not be able to fix this form of cracking but you can avoid chewing hard objects such as ice for example and reduce the stress placed on your teeth until you see your dentist at your next regular check-up. Possible treatment for this is usually night guard veneers which needs cosmetic dentistry and dental expertise to provide.
Enamel Fractures
This looks like a tiny chip on the edges of the tooth and you can usually feel a change to the tooth’s surface when you run your tongue over it. Again although you cannot mend a chipped tooth at home you can get hold of some dental wax over the counter and place it over the chipped surface. This will protect your lips or tongue from irritation until you can make an appointment with your dentist. Treatment involves smoothing the enamel and using a composite material to repair the tooth if the fracture is large enough.
Enamel and Dentin Fractures
These present as broken, chipped or fractured teeth and with a range of light to dark yellowy brown components. It could lead to injuring or the death of the nerve of the tooth and infection so you will need to book to see your dentist within 48 hours. In the meantime you need to keep to soft food in your diet and avoid very hot or cold solids and liquids. Rinsing regularly with warm water will help and over the counter pain medication can be taken to ease any pain felt in the tooth or gums. The treatment for this requires filling the full or partial crown of the tooth. So unless you are professionally trained in dentistry with a fully equipped dental practice at your disposal, save your DIY skills for home repairs to furniture and leave the cosmetic dentistry to the experts.
Cottesloe Dental in Perth are experts in the field of cosmetic dentistry as well as anything dental. Make an appointment today to put the shine back in your smile.
Our teeth are held in place mainly by the wisdom teeth removal, so if one tooth is removed then this changes the stress that is placed on the rest of the teeth.
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