How to Repair a Broken Tooth Fast
By Dr. Rodney Alles | Published on December 13, 2011 | 0 Comments
A slip on ice. A fall off a curb. A trip down a stairwell. A tumble off a bike. People can break or chip their teeth in a countless number of ways, the majority of which happen in just the blink of an eye. According to Dallas dentist Dr. Rodney Alles of Ideal Dental University Park, the way that a person responds after chipping a tooth will play a large part in the overall recovery process.
The faster a person reacts and seeks treatment after taking a spill and cracking a tooth, the better chance he or she has at making a full recovery and potentially saving the tooth. As a dentist in Dallas, Dr. Alles says that people chip their teeth between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. more than any other time of day. Thankfully, people who visit the dentist regularly should already know that they have someone they can call for immediate help – even in the middle of the night.
A chipped tooth is the type of problem that Dr. Alles says people should seek immediate attention to fix, even if that chip occurs during the evening hours or on a weekend. There is almost nothing that a patient can do to repair a chipped tooth on his own, explains the Dallas dentist, with the exception of possibly numbing some of the pain with certain topical gels.
In some cases, the Dallas dentist says, a broken tooth may not be able to be fixed completely in just one appointment. In an effort to help alleviate some of the pain, as well as the embarrassment of showing up to work with a broken tooth, he offers a number of temporary solutions that patients can utilize before coming back in to complete the necessary restorations.
The appropriate way to repair a chipped tooth will depend on the size of the chip and the location of the tooth within the mouth. If a patient chips a molar, Dr. Alles says the best solution is going to be a composite filling. On the other hand, a patient who chips a front tooth may opt for bonding, a porcelain veneer, or a full coverage dental crown. The process of building a veneer, in particular, is one that can take upwards of three weeks. However, Dr. Alles says people who go this route can wear a temporary device in the meantime that will cover up their broken tooth in between appointments.
Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: 214-361-3550
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.