Broken / Chipped Tooth
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If you have a broken or chipped tooth as a result of a very recent trauma or accident, contact your dentist immediately! Click here for information about how to Contact Us. Click here for more information on Accidents. If you have a broken or chipped tooth that is not the result of a recent trauma, Dr. Clark, Dr. Eldredge, or Dr. Nebeker can evaluate the tooth for possible treatment. It is still important to have the tooth evaluated right away, because in some situations a minor procedure now can save you from a more significant procedure in the near future! A very small chip may be corrected by enamel shaping. If the chip is a little larger, the best options may be bonding or a veneer. If the chip is on a molar, an onlay may be appropriate. Large chips and fractured teeth generally require a crown. If the fracture involves the nerve, Root Canal Therapy may be necessary before the tooth is crowned. It is important to have a broken tooth crowned before it becomes infected or abscessed! In extreme cases, a broken tooth cannot be saved. In this case, an extraction is needed. The missing tooth can be replaced with a bridge or an implant. Each case is unique. Only your dentist can properly diagnose the best course of treatment for your tooth. |