Dental problems can be excruciatingly painful, and they can severely compromise the beauty of your smile. Sadly, it is common for patients to be uninformed about how they should address some common dental problem, which can complicate treatment or lead to more pain than necessary. In particular, there are two common situations that you may not understand how to effectively address.

Missing Crowns

Crowns are commonly used for patients that have a tooth that is suffering from severe structural damage. To strengthen the tooth, the crown is placed on top of it to reinforce and protect the damaged area. Unfortunately, crowns can get knocked out or eventually come loose due to wear and tear. When this happens, you may experience intense pain as well as being more likely to suffer major damage to the tooth.

As a result, you will need to seek an emergency dentist as soon as possible, but there are a couple of things you can do to minimize the pain while you are on your waiting to receive care. The area around the tooth may start to swell, but you can use ice to keep the swelling to a minimum. To avoid the discomfort of putting a bag of ice directly on the skin, you should wrap it in a thin cloth.

Cracked Teeth

A cracked tooth may be especially painful because it can expose the tooth's sensitive nerve ending. While only a dentist can repair this damage, some people will delay this treatment due to concerns of cost or inconveniences, and this can be a serious mistake to make. A cracked tooth will have compromised enamel, which can make it easier for decay to start to develop. Furthermore, the crack will structurally weaken the tooth, and this will make it more likely to suffer further damage.

By having your tooth repaired in a timely manner, you can minimize these risks, which will help to keep your costs of treatment lower. For example, depending on the severity of the damage, a simple bonding may be all that is required to repair the damage. However, if decay develops or the crack worsens, the only option for repairing it may be a crown, which can be far more expensive.

Dental emergencies can be stressful and painful, but understanding how to respond to these situations can drastically reduce the amount of damage, pain and expense involved in this situation. By understanding what to do when you encounter a missing crown or cracked tooth, you will be better able to keep your smile looking as good as possible. For more information, contact offices like Northwest Dental Services and Implant Center.

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