Traumatic Dental Injuries: Chipped Or Fractured Teeth

Describing a chipped or fractured tooth as an injury is pretty self-explanatory. This kind of injury can range from a minor chip to a split extending from the crown/cusp to the apex (tip of the root), requiring a simple filling or full-on root canal and restoration treatment, respectively. If the tooth’s pulp is exposed, sterility and speed of repair are crucial in preserving the tooth’s life and health, and to prevent infections that lead to more difficult problems. A root canal is often called for because cracks in the teeth do, in fact, affect the pulp if they are large enough, and in either case the strength of the tooth overall is diminished. Sometimes part or all of the tooth must be replaced if its original durability and function are lost.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles