In freak accidents, teeth can break below the gum line. The teeth may appear to be knocked out completely, but after the dentist takes an x-ray and examines these "missing" teeth, he/she will find that the roots are still there. Since the roots cannot be left there without causing untold infections, pain, and swelling, your dentist will have to do one or more of the following cosmetic procedures to restore your ability to chew and speak.

Reattaching the Crowns

If it is at all possible, your dentist will attempt to use a bonding agent to reattach the crowns of the teeth. This is successful only within the first thirty minutes of the teeth being broken, but it may prevent the total death and loss of the teeth. Once the crowns are reattached, bonded, and sealed, it becomes a waiting game to see if they will naturally survive the process. If the teeth begin to discolor and become darker, they did not survive. However, if they are effectively rejoined to the roots, then your dentist can create crowns for the teeth that will cover and hide the discolored and previously damaged teeth.

Removing the Roots and Placing Implants

Your dentist may also decide to remove the roots below the gum line completely. This will happen when you have missed the thirty-minute window in which you can put your broken teeth back. It may also happen because your dentist feels that there is no possible way to save these teeth. Since he/she is in the midst of removing these broken roots from your gums, he/she can then install implants right away, giving you back your teeth within the same procedure.

Removing the Broken Bits and Creating a Partial Denture

Finally, your dentist may just remove the bits of your teeth from the gums and create a partial denture to take the place of the now-missing teeth. The partial may take a few days to make, but in the meantime, your surgical sites in your mouth will heal up and the stitches in your gums can be removed. The partial may need to be refitted after the swelling has gone down, but then your partial will effectively cover the fact that you have lost some teeth and/or have had the remainders of these broken teeth removed. Discuss all of the above options with your dentist, if time permits and your dentist is not set on one specific cosmetic procedure.

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