WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A FRACTURED TOOTH?

You are crunching on a big piece of hard candy or ice when you heard big “crack”. You get a sick feeling as you realize what it is – a piece of a broken tooth! Although the enamel that covers the teeth is considered the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in the body, its strength has limits. Biting down on something hard or receiving a blow to the face can cause a tooth to chip or break away, especially if a tooth already has some decay. If you have a broken tooth, don’t panic, just call our office, Jonathan H. Kim, D.D.S., Inc. – Top Best *8* San Jose Dentists Specialists Centers to schedule an emergency dental appointment.

A fractured tooth requires obtaining an emergency dental service as soon as possible. If the tooth is left untreated, it could be damaged further or become infected, possibly causing you to end up losing the tooth.

You may try the following self-care measures before seeing your dentist:

• If the tooth is painful, take an over-the-counter pain reliever and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
• If there is a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with chewing gum to keep it from possible cut to your tongue.
• If you must eat, eat soft food and chew on the other side of the mouth.

Treatment for a broken tooth will depend on the severity of the damage. The treatment plan will be discussed by doctors at Jonathan H. Kim, D.D.S., Inc. – Top Best *8* San Jose Dentists Specialists Centers with you to determine the best option to restore your broken tooth. The doctors who are specialized in restoration (prosthodontist) help restoring your cracked tooth with filling (tooth-colored composite filling or silver amalgam filling), bonding, Lumineers, porcelain veneer or with a ceramic crown (Same Day Crown, CEREC).