A Bridge Is One Effective Way to Replace a Knocked Out Tooth
Each of the teeth in your mouth are anchored into their sockets by strong periodontal ligaments. These ligaments are meant to hold each tooth in place for daily activities like biting off, chewing and grinding foods. There are other times when something like a hard fall or a blow to the face hits with such force that it can knock one or more of your teeth out. Most of the time when a tooth is knocked out, it is also severely fractured and some of it remains in the socket. When this happens the tooth is effectively dead. Dr. [doctor_name]’s only course of treatment is to extract the remnants and allow the gums to heal. He can then help you understand your options for replacing the tooth. One of the most common methods is to simply install a bridge. This is essentially an artificial tooth fused to a pair of crowns on each end. It is anchored on abutments formed from the neighboring teeth. To create these abutments, Dr. [doctor_name] uses a drill to remove most of the enamel from each tooth. This leaves behind a post-like core of dentin surrounding the healthy pulp and root of each tooth. Then, [heshe] will form an impression of the abutments as well as the void and your personal bite pattern. This will be sent to a dental lab where your new bridge is made. At the end of the appointment temporary crowns are cemented over each abutment to protect them. When your permanent bridge is ready Dr. [doctor_name] will call you back in for a brief follow up appointment. The temporary crowns will be removed and [heshe] will cement your new bridge onto the abutments. If you’ve just had a tooth knocked out, you should not delay in calling Dr. [doctor_name]’s [city], [state] office at [phone] for immediate treatment.
Dental Sealants Are an Effective Preventative Measure
It’s not uncommon for the biting surface of premolars and molars to have deep pits and fissures. While this makes the teeth more efficient at chewing tough foods, it can also serve as a trap for residual food particles and plaque. These areas can also be difficult to clean from brushing alone. In time, this makes the biting surface of your molars and premolars prone to developing large cavities. The large fillings needed to repair these cavities can prove troublesome later on. In a situation like this a your dentist will often recommends having dental sealants applied to the biting surface to create a protective layer over the tooth enamel. Even if plaque and food particles get stuck on the biting surface, the dental sealants will keep them from direct access to the tooth. Dental sealants a durable plastic-resin that can quickly be painted onto your teeth following your regular dental checkup. A special ultraviolet light is often used to cure and harden the resin. The dental sealants are very durable and can help to protect the biting surface for up to two years. If you are interested in having dental sealants applied to your molars and premolars, please call [practice_name]’s office in [city], [state] at [phone] to schedule an appointment.
