As a parent, it’s important that you take steps to protect your child’s oral health. That means getting them into a good hygiene routine and taking them for regular checkups. But kids are unpredictable and you can’t do much to protect them from a broken tooth.
When they are running around and playing, they can easily trip and fall and, before you know it, you’re taking a trip to the emergency dentist. If it’s one of their baby teeth, you don’t need to worry too much because their adult teeth will grow through eventually. But what if they are a bit older and they lose one of their adult teeth? The good news is, there are plenty of different treatments available.
These are some of the best options if your child breaks a tooth.
Fillings
If the tooth is cracked but the majority of it is still in place, fillings are usually the best option.
The ceramic filling will plug the gap and repair the tooth, so your child can carry on eating and drinking as they normally would. It’s a very simple, non-invasive procedure that can be done in one appointment, so this is the best option. Unfortunately, a filling may not be suitable if the damage is more severe and you might have to look at some other options.
Crowns
In some cases, if the outer shell of the tooth is still relatively intact, the dentist may decide to perform a root canal.
This involves taking out the pulpy part in the center of the tooth while leaving the hard outer shell intact. Once this has been done, they can then fit a crown over the top of the tooth to protect it. Although this is a more invasive procedure and can be more painful for your child, they don’t need to have the whole tooth extracted, which is a bonus. However, there may be a waiting period while the crown is manufactured to fit your child’s tooth.
In the meantime, they will be given a temporary one.
Implants
If the entire tooth is damaged and it is not salvageable, dental implants are one of the best options.
Although they are often used in older people to replace lost teeth, they are effective in situations where teeth have been damaged. So, if you or your child has damaged a tooth, are you Ready to Get Started with Your Dental Implants?
The procedure involves drilling an implant into the jawbone, which then forms the base for a new prosthetic tooth that goes on the top.
They are far more effective than traditional dentures and they allow you to eat and drink as you normally would without worrying about the tooth moving around or slipping out.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a process that involves applying a tooth-colored resin and then hardening it under a light.
This allows the dentist to build a new prosthetic tooth on what remains of the existing tooth. This is often a good option for people that have cracked half of their tooth.
If your child has an accident and breaks their tooth, these are the different treatment options available to you. The dentist will advise you, but you also need to consider things like the cost when making your decision.
