Prompt dental treatment is important if you suffer a dental emergency. Dr. Rick Larson, your cosmetic dentist in Coppell, TX, shares information on a few emergency procedures that can save or protect your smile.

Splinting

Knocked out teeth can be successfully re-implanted in some cases if splints are used. Splinting is also used if a tooth becomes loose after an injury. Splints are small wires or other stabilizing devices that are attached to the problem tooth and several teeth on either side. Connecting the teeth with a splint reduces the pressure placed on the injured tooth when you bite and chew. Splints are usually worn for several weeks.

Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy may be needed after splinting and is also used to save broken or abscessed teeth. During root canal treatment, your Coppell dentist removes the nerves, tissue and blood vessels that make up the pulp at the center of a tooth. Using tiny files, he cleans and shapes the canals that extend from the crown to the roots of teeth before filling them with gutta percha or another flexible material. If you have an abscessed tooth, you'll also need to take antibiotics to treat the infection.

Crowns

Crowns stabilize, protect or restore weak or damaged teeth. Your dentist may recommend a crown at the completion of root canal therapy, or if your tooth is cracked or broken. Crowns are hollow restorations that encase teeth completely.

Bonding

Bonding can be used to reattach broken pieces of teeth or fill chipped areas after an accident. Soft composite resin bonding can be manipulated into any shape, making it an excellent choice to treat many cosmetic dental problems. When the bonding material hardens, it looks and feels just like natural tooth enamel.

Veneers

Veneers can be helpful if your tooth is chipped or discolored after an injury. Wafer-thin porcelain veneers are bonded to the front of teeth, improving their appearance. Since veneers are available in virtually any shade of white, they blend in easily with your other teeth.

Don't hesitate to call Dr. Larson, your cosmetic dentist in Coppell, TX, immediately if you experience a dental emergency. The sooner you receive treatment, the better the outlook for your smile. Call Dr. Larson at (469) 470-2567 to make an emergency appointment or schedule a checkup.