Ask a California Dentist: Can My Damaged Tooth Be Saved or Restored?
If you have sustained significant damage to your tooth, whether by trauma or long-term decay, you might wonder: what are my options to bounce back? You might wonder: can my tooth be saved? The answer to the second question depends on how significant the damage is. The first question depends on many factors but this is almost always true: We can find a way to improve your smile.
Options to Save Your Damaged Tooth
There might be a number of options available to save your damaged tooth depending on your situation and how the tooth was damaged. If your tooth was knocked out or damaged during an injury, then you should contact your California dentist as soon as possible for immediate help. Getting to us sooner rather than later could mean the difference between keeping your tooth and getting a dental implant.
If the damage to your tooth is caused by decay and/or infection, then the first step is to take care of the immediate need. For example, if you have a large cavity, filling it and treating the infection with a root canal could stop the damage in its tracks. If the damage is extensive then it might not be saved but the infection should still be stopped so that it does not spread to the rest of your mouth, teeth, and gums.
Options to Replace Your Teeth
On the other hand, if the damage is significant enough that your tooth cannot be repaired, then you still have options. The right choice will depend on the location of the missing tooth, whether or not there are multiple missing teeth, the state of the bone in your jaw, your preferences, and other factors.
Bridges and dentures are removable options. You can take them out at night to clean them and for comfort. Dental implants are a permanent solution. We begin by installing an implant root into your jawbone. We then attach it to the implant. As time goes on, the bone actually grows over the implant to fuse the two together. This is a permanent option but it is more expensive than bridges and dentures, and it requires a certain amount of healthy jawbone to work.
We Can Help You Determine the Right Choice
Whatever situation you are in, you can count on California Dental Group helping you find the right choice. If you are not sure if your tooth can be repaired or not, then your next call should be to us at (800) 407-0161. We can get you in for an exam so we can determine if the tooth is salvageable. If your tooth needs to be replaced, we can help with that too. It all begins with a single phone call.
