A dental fracture can range in severity from a minor chip limited to the tooth’s enamel layer or a potential dental avulsion where the sensitive core structures of the tooth are traumatized. Even if you aren’t experiencing any immediate sensitivity or discomfort in the fractures tooth, you should still have it examined by a professionally trained dentist like Dr. Joel Wiersum before tooth decay can affect the area.
The severity of the dental fracture will determine the treatment plan developed by Dr. Joel Wiersum and his associates
A minor dental fracture that is limited to the single surface of the tooth might be repaired by installing a standard amalgam or composite dental filling.
If the fracture is large Dr. Joel Wiersum might recommend replacing the tooth enamel layer with a dental crown. This mode of treatment will fully replace the tooth’s enamel layer with an alternative material like gold, base metal alloys, or a special type of dental grade porcelain.
If the pulp or root of the tooth has also been traumatized he might need to perform a root canal in advance of the dental crown restoration.
In the case of a severe dental avulsion where the tooth was knocked out or badly fractured at the gumline, he might recommend a total extraction. Once your gums have healed Dr. Joel Wiersum can then help you choose if you’d like to replace the tooth with a dental bridge or a dental implant restoration.
If you live in the Kodiak, Alaska, area and you have recently suffered a fractured tooth, you should call 907-486-3475 to seek treatment at Alaska Smile Center’s dental offices.