What to Do If You Break a Wisdom Tooth
If you break a wisdom tooth, the first
thing to do is call the dentist. In most cases, a dentist will try to repair
the broken tooth. Surprisingly, there is more than one way to treat a broken
tooth—a dental professional may suggest a filling, a crown, or an extraction to
maintain his or her patient’s oral health. When it comes to broken teeth,
dentists take X-rays to examine the tooth and the damage.
The tooth can often be repaired with
filling material, but if the break is extensive, dentists may have to repair it
with a filling and a crown. This provides the tooth with more stability and
keeps it from breaking again. Crowns, which help cover teeth and restores them to their normal
shape and size, can help strengthen small teeth unable to hold a large filling.
They can also be used to attach bridges, protect a weak tooth, or restore a
broken one. With more severe cases, when the nerve and blood vessels are
involved, the patient likely needs a root canal before receiving a crown.
When a wisdom
tooth is broken, dentists have to consider many factors before deciding how to
repair the tooth. If the tooth is impacted or emerges partially and is not
situated in the mouth to help patients chew, the dentist likely recommends an
extraction. If there are any other teeth that may interfere with the patient’s oral
health, the dentist recommends removing all the wisdom teeth. However, if the
patient and dentist believe there are not any complications, a filling or a
crown may work just fine.
If the tooth is left untreated, patients
might experience a few other problems. A hole in a tooth can make it more
vulnerable to bacteria and decay. If bacteria find their way into the tooth, it
can become infected. An untreated infection can spread to the surrounding gum
tissue of other teeth and into the jawline. Signs and symptoms of an infection
usually consists of swelling, throbbing pain, and possibly a fever.
Nevertheless, if patients can keep their
wisdom teeth, they need to take proper care of them. Patients need to be sure
to brush and floss far back enough to clean those teeth. Use a fluoride
toothpaste, see the dentist regularly, and schedule cleanings and X-rays for
those appointments. Doing so can help patients monitor their teeth for any
sudden changes.
Worried about the costs of dental care?
If you are looking for a New Hampshire family discount dental plan
to offset
the costs, we can help! Wellness Dental Plan can save you as much as 20 percent
off your regular bills. For more information, click here.
Copyright: sifotography
/ 123RF Stock Photo
