While it is extremely rare, there are times when a blow to the face can cause a severe fracture or crack in a tooth. This is even more likely to happen in your play in a contact sport without the protection of a quality mouthguard. If the root or socket of the tooth is severely damaged, it might be too compromised to be treated by a root canal. In an extreme case like this, your dentist, Dr. Timothy Collier, might recommend having it extracted.
Once your gums have completely healed, your dentist can completely replace the tooth with a dental bridge restoration. A dental bridge in Manchester, Iowa, is basically an artificial tooth that mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. It is fused into one single piece of dental work with a hollow crown on each side.
Your dentist will need to create the two abutments out of the two neighboring teeth to anchor the bridge. This will be done by using a drill to remove the enamel layer of each tooth. The abutment left behind is essentially the dentin layer of each tooth surrounding the pulp and root.
A detailed impression will be made of the area and the corresponding teeth in your bite pattern. This will be sent to a professional dental lab where your new bridge will be made. Temporary crowns will then be secured over the abutments to protect them.
We will call you to schedule a brief second appointment once the dental lab technician has completed your bridge. Your dentist will remove the temporary crowns and cement your new bridge into place over the abutments during this appointment.
If you have suffered a badly damaged tooth, you should not delay in calling 563-927-4746 to seek immediate treatment at Dental Associates of Manchester.