Your treatment will depend on how bad the damage is, but you may be wondering—should you repair or replace that broken tooth?

You May Be Able to Repair a Minor Break with a Dental Crown

If a big piece of your tooth is missing, your dentist may be able to repair it with a dental crown. A dental crown is a tooth restoration designed to accurately match your affected tooth. It acts as a cap which will cover the broken area and restore the function and appearance of your smile.

A dental crown will also protect the tooth from further damage [1]. These restorations are secure and, while they will need to be replaced every so often, they can last for a decade or longer with the right care and are a viable long-term treatment option for a broken tooth.

More Severe Damage May Need a Root Canal

If your tooth break is more severe—such as if the entire top portion of your tooth is broken off—you may need a root canal to repair the problem [2].

A root canal will clean and seal the inside of your tooth, where the nerve tissue resides. Once the canal is prepared to prevent an infection and further damage, your dentist will finish restoring the tooth with a dental crown.

Today’s root canals aren’t much different than getting a filling and will allow you to retain what’s left of your natural tooth!

Sometimes Extraction Is Necessary

For some broken teeth, even the best repairs won’t be able to fix the problem. A root canal can help a broken tooth that has an intact root, but if the break extends below the gumline, extraction may be your only option.

Breaks that go beneath your gums typically aren’t able to be repaired by your dentist. Some patients may not even be able to see a crack or break from the outside, but the damage exists under the gums [3]. Your dentist can let you know if an extraction is your only choice, and discuss your tooth replacement options with you during your appointment.

If you’ve experienced a broken tooth, don’t hesitate to reach out to your professional dentist. Getting a broken tooth examined sooner rather than later can increase your chances of a successful repair rather than an extraction. Likewise, ignoring a broken tooth can lead to an extraction when a repair would have sufficed if it had been treated earlier. Don’t ignore that broken tooth!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/crowns
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000058.htm
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322015.php#treatment-options

The post Should You Repair or Replace That Broken Tooth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

But how exactly is a dental abscess treated? Your dentist may recommend the following
treatment options depending on how severe your tooth abscess is.

Draining the Abscess

First, your dentist or endodontist—a dentist who specializes in saving teeth—will need to drain
the abscess of the infection. Your dentist will gently lance the abscess to rid it of any pus and
other material before moving on to actually treating your tooth.

If your dental abscess was caused by gum disease, at this point your dentist may recommend a
deep cleaning (also called a root planing and scaling) to treat your gum disease and prescribe a
course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from coming back.

Root Canal Therapy

If the original infection was the result of infected nerve tissue (also called the pulp) inside the
tooth, root canal therapy may be able to help. An infection in the center of your tooth can
happen as the result of decay, an injury, or a cracked or chipped tooth.

When a dental abscess is present, the infected pulp will need to be removed and the tooth
sealed in order to fix the issue and stop the infection from returning. Depending on your unique
case, you may or may not receive a dental crown once the procedure is complete to protect
your tooth.

However, for some people, root canal therapy may not be possible to save the tooth. If your
dentist suspects the tooth can’t be saved, he or she may recommend extraction.

Tooth Extraction

Some patients will need to have their tooth extracted as a result of their dental abscess. Your
dentist will discuss the options with you beforehand to ensure the form of treatment is in your
best interest.

Your dentist can also talk with you about replacing your tooth after the extraction. It’s
important to replace your natural tooth as the loss of a tooth can also cause loss of jaw bone
and shifting teeth, which can change your smile over time.

A dental abscess can be very painful and should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.
Whether the infection originally began in your tooth or in the gum tissue, your dentist can help
to drain and treat the abscess to provide you with relief and get your smile healthy again!

The post What Is a Dental Abscess, and How Is It Treated? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Before you can receive a dental implant, you’ll need to have a consultation with your
professional dentist. During this meeting, your dentist will take x-rays to determine the exact
position of your missing tooth as well as examine the bone density of your jaw.

Only people who have adequate bone in their jaw are candidates for dental implants; however,
you may qualify for a bone graft to help build up your jaw bone to receive the implant.

Your dentist will also examine your oral health. Proper oral health and hygiene is essential for
the healing and longevity of a dental implant. People who smoke or have poor oral health may
not qualify for the procedure.

Next: Implanting the Post

If your dentist has found that you’re a candidate for dental implants and has thoroughly
discussed the procedure with you, your next step will be to have the titanium post—the
foundation for your dental implant—inserted by an oral surgeon.

Thanks to digital x-rays, your oral surgeon knows precisely where to place your dental implant
to maximize the chances of success for your restoration. Implanting the post is a surgical
procedure, and it’s important to be sure about dental implants before you take this step. Once
the post is implanted and healed, it’s very difficult if not impossible in certain cases to remove.

Then: Healing Time

The titanium post that constitutes the support for your future dental crown will need to heal
for a period of approximately 4-6 weeks to ensure it’s strong enough to support the dental
crown. Healing time may vary from person to person and will depend on your unique oral
health and immune system.

In the meantime, you may receive a temporary dental crown from your dentist to hold the
place of the future dental crown. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions for healing and
follow up with your dentist as needed.

Last: Getting Your Crown

Your dental crown is specifically made to fit your smile and to match your existing teeth. It’s
sturdy, functional, and with the right care, has the potential to last up to fifteen years. This is
the final restoration to make your dental implant come to life!

The placing of the crown completes your dental implant—you can now enjoy your beautiful
new smile for years to come, with the right care, of course!

If you’re considering dental implants, schedule a consultation with your dentist to first
determine your candidacy. Dental implants are excellent restorations for patients with missing
teeth, so don’t hesitate to discuss your dental implant options with your dentist today!

The post Ask the Dentist: How Do Dental Implants Work? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dental crown lengthening is a process that involves removing some gum tissue in order to
expose more of your tooth. Why would this need to be done? Here’s what you need to know
about a dental crown lengthening.

To Support a Restoration

If you’ve experienced trauma to your tooth—for instance, a cavity below your gumline or even
a tooth that’s broken off close to or below the gumline—gum tissue may prevent your dentist
from performing a complete restoration.

In cases such as these, a small amount of gum tissue may need to be removed in order for your
dentist to fully access your tooth and properly complete the restoration.

Restorations are the most common reasons a dental crown lengthening procedure is done, and
it’ll typically be done by a periodontist, who is a dentist that specializes in gum tissue. Your gum
tissue will be carefully reshaped in order to support your restoration and facilitate a healthy
smile!

To Help Gummy Smile

You may have gummy smile if an excessive amount of gum tissue covers the crowns of your
teeth. Gummy smile is often a subjective diagnosis and is more pronounced in some individuals
than in others. Gummy smile is typically the result of genetics and is more common in women
than in men.

If you have gummy smile, you may have the option of getting your gums reshaped to expose
more of your dental crown in a crown lengthening procedure done by a periodontist. During
this procedure, a laser will be used to reshape your gum tissue and remove unnecessary gum
tissue that’s covering your teeth and giving your smile a “gummy” appearance.

What Can I Expect?

Fortunately, a crown lengthening procedure is fairly straightforward. The procedure is typically
performed by a periodontist with local anesthesia. If you have dental anxiety and would like to
be sedated, you can talk with your periodontist about this option.

Only infinitesimal amounts of gum tissue are removed during the procedure, and while the full
recovery time will take approximately two weeks, you should be able to return to work and any
normal activities the day after the procedure.

For most patients, dental crown lengthening procedures can be managed with over-the-
counter pain medication. If you’re having a crown lengthening procedure done in order to
support a dental restoration, you’ll need to wait approximately 4-6 weeks in order to fully complete the restoration.

For patients who need a dental crown lengthening procedure, this procedure can go a long way
towards helping your smile get the restoration it needs or helping you enhance your
appearance if you have gummy smile. Your dentist will let you know if you need this procedure
and what you can expect during your appointment!

The post What Is Dental Crown Lengthening and When Is It Needed? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The traditional process for dental implants can take months. If you’ve been living without teeth
for any length of time, you know how important it is to have your smile restored as quickly as
possible. Can dental implants really be done in one day? Actually, they can! Let’s talk about
same-day dental implants and what they mean for you.

Crown Restoration Is Completed at the Office

3D CT scan technology enables your dentist to make your temporary crown restoration right
there at the office on the day of your dental implant procedure. Although this crown will look
just like your natural teeth, it still qualifies as a temporary solution—until your implant fuses
with the bone in your jaw, your permanent crown can’t be placed.

However, you’ll still get to leave the office that day with a temporary restoration that won’t
have anyone second-guessing your smile. You’ll have a brand-new dental implant and a crown
to top it off, making your dental implants essentially a one-day procedure!

How Are Same-Day Dental Implants Different?

Same-day dental implants aren’t any different from traditional implants. They both require
detailed x-rays for accurate placement, an experienced dentist or oral surgeon, and they both
need time to fuse with the bone in your jaw to be permanent. Since you’ll be getting your
crown and dental implant on the same day, your dentist will need to be sure your dental
implant can healthily support the crown.

Once your dental implant heals and your permanent crown is placed, there’s virtually no
difference between same-day dental implants and traditional dental implants that take months
to complete. Of course, you’ll still need an initial consultation and a follow-up appointment in
addition to the appointment to permanently fix your crown, so keep these visits in mind!

People Who Qualify for Same-Day Dental Implants

The criteria to qualify for same-day dental implants isn’t all that different for traditional dental
implants. You’ll need to have a healthy mouth in order to facilitate proper healing of the
implant. This element is even more important since the entire process will be completed in a
day. You’ll need to have a healthy and strong mouth to qualify. You’ll also need to have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant until your permanent crown is placed. Since your temporary crown will be installed that same day, it’s imperative that your jawbone can support the restoration until you get your permanent crown.

Your dentist can let you know if you qualify for same-day dental implants during your consultation.
Are you in need of a tooth replacement but don’t want to wait months for a dental implant?
Ask your dentist about same-day dental implants. You just might qualify for this procedure and
best of all, you’ll have a gorgeous new smile that same day!

The post Can Dental Implants Be Done in One Day? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Since it can take a couple weeks for your dental crown to be ready for your smile, your temporary crown serves an important function—it helps to protect your damaged tooth from pain and discomfort. Your temporary crown will help stop food from entering the cavity of your tooth and protect it from chewing, food temperature, and further injury.

Without a temporary crown, your tooth will be open and could be painful. Food debris and bacteria could further harm the tooth without some type of protection there. With a temporary dental crown, you can keep the space protected and prepare it for the restoration when the time comes.

Prepare Your Mouth for the Permanent Crown

A temporary crown helps hold the space for your permanent dental crown. Your gum tissue will adjust to the shape of your crown and create a more comfortable, healed space for your permanent crown. Since teeth are also susceptible to shifting, the temporary crown helps keep everything in place until the permanent crown is ready.

Your temporary crown will also help you adjust to the look and feel of your crown. Your final restoration will look very similar to your temporary crown and will help you see what your smile will look and feel like when the restoration is done. Your mouth should be comfortable and healed with your temporary dental crown by the time your new, permanent crown arrives.

Brush and Floss

Fortunately, your temporary dental crown will be relatively easy to care for. You’ll need to brush your teeth as normal, but pay special attention to the area near the gumline in order to keep the space between your crown and your gums clean and free of debris.

You can and should continue flossing your teeth. Again, pay close attention to the gumline where your temporary crown meets your gum tissue. You’ll want to floss this area carefully, and floss out rather than down toward the crown of your tooth. You want to keep the crown intact while also removing plaque and food particles.

Beware of Sticky Foods

During the time your temporary dental crown is in place, you’ll want to be wary of any sticky foods, especially foods that are both sticky and hard. They can attach to your temporary crown and threaten to pull it loose! These foods include:

 Caramel
 Candy
 Chewing Gum
 Popcorn
 Nuts
 Peanut Butter

Don’t worry, you don’t have to avoid these foods forever —just until your new permanent crown is set in place! When your dentist fits you with a temporary dental crown, this is an excellent opportunity to adjust to your new smile. Allow your gums to adapt to the new addition. Take care of your crown by continuing to brush and floss, but try to keep sticky foods out of the picture. Your new crown will be in place before you know it!

The post Temporary Crowns: Why You Need Them, How to Care for Them, and More appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What Are Temporary Dental Crowns?

Temporary dental crowns function as “pre” dental crowns that are made out of either plastic or stainless steel. These crowns are adhered to your teeth using a temporary binding solution that will be removed before your permanent crown is placed. They look just like a permanent dental crown and provide many of the same benefits and even help to prepare your mouth for the new dental crown.

How Is a Temporary Dental Crown Different from a Permanent One?

A temporary dental crown is only used until your permanent one is ready. While temporary dental crowns are made from plastic or metal, your permanent crown will be made from ceramic or ceramic bonded to metal. They are also typically made at your dentist office, whereas your permanent crown will be made in a lab to be custom for your smile. Your dentist office may also have the ability to create permanent crowns in office via CEREC same-day crowns technology, so no temporary crown will be needed.

Why Are They Used?

A temporary dental crown is used for several reasons and they have several benefits. These include:

Protecting the tooth. Your temporary crown will prevent food from getting trapped in your affected area and provide the necessary protection to prevent sensitivity and further damage.

Preparing gums for the permanent crown. A temporary crown is often very similar to your future permanent one, so it helps “prepare” the mouth for the adhesion of the permanent solution by helping the gums adjust while your temporary crown is in there.

Restoring function. The temporary crown will allow you to speak and chew like normal until your real crown is placed.

Keeps you looking great. Waiting for a permanent crown can take weeks. A temporary crown will restore your natural appearance until you’re ready for the permanent solution.

Keeps teeth in their place. The temporary crown helps teeth to resist shifting and stay where they are so that the place for the permanent crown is held and ready for you!

How Long Will I Have My Temporary Dental Crown?

Usually lab preparation of your crown will take about two weeks. This is the approximate length of time you’ll have your temporary dental crown. Since your dentist will use a temporary adhesive solution, the temporary crown is easily removed and you’ll be ready for your permanent crown when it’s completed for you!

Temporary dental crowns serve many functions and provide short-term solutions for you while you’re waiting for your lab-created custom crown. Talk with your dentist about a temporary crown and how it can effectively hold a place for your real crown until its ready to make your smile gorgeous again!

The post The 411 on Temporary Dental Crowns appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.