Dental fractures can occur from a wide range of sources. This could be something as mundane as grinding your teeth while you sleep, chewing on foreign objects, crunching on ice, or a sports injury.
Even if the damaged tooth doesn’t cause you immediate discomfort, you should still have it examined and treated by Dr. Lupy Gonzalez. The compromised tooth enamel could come to trap bacterial deposits which could encourage a severe cavity to form.
The severity and location of the dental fracture will influence the treatment method Dr. Lupy Gonzalez recommends.
A small dental fracture might be repairable with a simple amalgam or composite dental filling. If the damage is on the biting surface of a molar or premolar she might advocate using a large inlay or onlay filling.
If you experience pain or heightened sensitivity in the tooth, the fracture could extend into the dentin, pulp, or root of the tooth. In a case like this Dr. Lupy Gonzalez might need to perform a root canal. Then the tooth enamel can be restored by installing a crown.
Severe dental fractures where the tooth is cracked in half or broken off at the gumline might require Dr. Lupy Gonzalez to extract the remnants. Once your gums have healed she can help you decide if you would like to restore the tooth with a dental implant or a dental bridge.
If you have suffered a dental fracture on one of your teeth and you live in the Houston, Texas, area, you should call 281-487-2400 to have it examined and treated at Clearpoint Dentistry.