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If
your child has a broken or chipped tooth as a result of a very recent trauma
or accident, contact your dentist immediately!
Click
here for information about how to Contact Us.
Click
here for more information on Accidents.
 If
your child has a broken or chipped tooth that is not the result of
a recent trauma, Dr. Watts
can evaluate the tooth for possible treatment. It is still important to have
the tooth evaluated right away, because in some situations a minor procedure
now can prevent the need for a more significant procedure in the near future!
A very small
chip may be corrected by enamel shaping. If the chip is a little larger, the
best option may be bonding. Large chips and fractured
teeth generally require a crown. If the fracture
involves the nerve, Pulp Therapy or Root
Canal Therapy may be necessary before the tooth is crowned. It is important
to have a broken tooth crowned before it becomes infected or abscessed!
In extreme
cases, a broken tooth cannot be saved. In this case, an extraction
is needed. When an extraction is performed, it is important to put something
in the place of the missing tooth or teeth. If the space is just left open,
the surrounding teeth may shift and cause complications. When a child prematurely
loses a primary tooth, they may need a space
maintainer. The loss of a permanent tooth may call for a bridge or implant.
Each case
is unique. Only your dentist can properly diagnose the best
course of treatment for your tooth.
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