Unlike dental disease, you can’t prevent dental trauma by practicing good oral hygiene. Dental trauma happens when a tooth becomes chipped, broken, or falls out due to an accident. If dental trauma isn’t treated quickly or correctly, long-lasting damage can occur. Luckily, there are many ways that your general dentist can fix dental trauma, so make sure to visit the dentist as quickly as possible after trauma.
Types of Dental Trauma
Below are a few examples of dental trauma and how they can be treated at your general dentist’s office:
Damaged Teeth
Even if your tooth is damaged, it can still be functional. However, they may not look or function very well. If you don’t treat a damaged tooth, it may cause the tooth to become weaker and eventually fall out completely. Below are the ways that damaged teeth can be treated:
- Dental Fillings – If a tooth has been cracked or damaged, a dental filling can be used to fill in the damaged area.
- Dental Crowns – Dental crowns are like small caps that fit over an entire damaged tooth. Because they cover and seal off the whole tooth, there’s much less risk of further disease or damage to the tooth.
- Dental Veneers – Dental veneers are thin, porcelain or composite resin shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. Veneers can hide any imperfections, enhancing the function and look of a damaged or misshapen tooth.
Loss of an Adult Tooth
If you lose an adult tooth and do not have it treated, you are compromising the structure of your jawbone, as well as the rest of your teeth. The teeth may begin to shift to fill in the hole caused by the missing tooth, affecting the health and aesthetics of your smile. Lost teeth can be treated by the following procedures:
- Dental Implants – Dental implants consist of a titanium rod, which is fused with the jawbone. Once this rod is in place, an artificial tooth is mounted on top. The benefit of dental implants is that they look and function exactly like natural teeth.
- Dentures or Partial Dentures – Another option for missing teeth is removable dentures or partial dentures. Dentures are used when all the teeth are missing and partial dentures are used when some natural teeth still remain.
If you or your child has experienced any dental trauma, we recommend making an appointment with your general dentist right away. To make an orthodontic appointment here in Aurora, Colorado, please contact Garlock Orthodontics today.