Sometimes a blow to the face, or a hard fall can actually knock one of your teeth out of the socket. This is even more likely if you participate in contact sports or other vigorous activities without proper protection from a mouth guard. If there are any remnants of the tooth left in the socket Dr. Michael O'Neill might still need to completely extract it.
After the extraction it will take a little while for your gums to heal. Once they are fully healed Dr. Michael O'Neill can completely restore the function and appearance of the tooth by installing a bridge.
Once your gums are health Dr. Michael O'Neill can help you explore your restoration options. One of the most common ways to restore a decayed and extracted tooth is to install a bridge.
For all intents and purposes, a bridge essentially mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. It is fused to a pair of crowns, anchored on abutments formed from the two neighboring teeth.
Dr. Michael O'Neill will create the two abutments by removing the majority of the enamel layer of each of the anchoring teeth. Then he will leave small amount of enamel to protect the otherwise healthy interior of the teeth.
Dr. Michael O'Neill will then take an impression of the two abutments, which includes the void left by the missing tooth and the relationship to any other teeth in your bite pattern. This impression we be sent to a dental lab where your permanent bridge will be made. Once this is done he will secure temporary crowns, over each abutment to protect them while the lab works on your permanent bridge.
Dr. Michael O'Neill will schedule a brief second appointment once your permanent bridge is completed. The temporary crowns are removed and your new bridge is cemented in place.
If one of your teeth has just been knocked out, you should call Dr. Michael O'Neill at