Who Do I See For A Broken Front Tooth Repair?

Don’t let that broken tooth ruin your smile!

You’re the poster child for a pearly white smile. You take pride in the care of your teeth, and you are sure to brush and floss 2-3 times a day. You happily visit your dentist promptly at your 6 month cleaning because you know the importance of good oral hygiene. You’ve even passed that practice on to your toddler. But sometimes life can be unpredictable, and that unpredictability came in the form of a very active toddler head-butting you and breaking your front tooth! So what do you do now? Who do you see for a broken front tooth repair?

A Prosthodontist To The Rescue

A Prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the restoration and replacement of teeth.  In addition to four years of dental school, Prosthodontists go through an additional three years of extensive training through a dental  program accredited by the American Dental Association. This extensive training gives them the ability to provide the best care possible for those who need to restore their smile. Prosthodontists specialize in repairing:

• Broken/Chipped Tooth
• Dental Implants
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Oral Cancer Reconstruction
• Traumatic injuries to the mouth or teeth

What You Can Do Before Your Broken Front Tooth Repair

If you’re wondering how to fix a chipped front tooth, Penn Dental Family Practice doesn’t recommend you trying to fix your chipped tooth at home.   But you can determine the severity of your fracture or break before you contact your dentist. If you’ve fractured your tooth, you may not see any visible difference in your tooth, but you may experience pain when you bite down or if you drink or eat cold or hot items.  If you’re constantly experiencing pain then you might have a damaged nerve or blood vessel. A broken tooth is more visible, and you can determine if the root/nerve has been exposed. DO NOT touch the nerve if it’s exposed! Take these steps until you can get to the dentist office:

1. Make an Appointment – Call and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can. Let them know if your nerve has been exposed and the kind of pain you’re experiencing.
2. Save the Tooth – There’s a chance that your Prosthodontist can reattach the portion of the tooth that broke off. Be sure to save your tooth in some milk or saliva, and take it to your appointment.
3. Rinse Your Mouth – Rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. This helps keep your mouth clean and fight off infection.  
4. Relieve Pain – To relieve pain and swelling take an over the counter pain reliever. If you experience swelling at the sight of your broken tooth, then apply an ice pack to help reduce swelling.
5. Cover Sharp Edges – To avoid any further injuries from your broken tooth, Colgate Oral Care Center recommends covering your tooth with dental cement or dental wax.  

If you’re in need of a broken front tooth repair, then contact us today! We have experienced Prosthodontists who are here to restore your beautiful smile!