My daughter fell and broke off part of her front tooth. She is really embarrassed and I want to get if fixed right away, but my dentist said he can’t see her for six weeks. He told me the root of the tooth needs time to heal, so it is better to wait. Is there anything I can do to make her feel less conspicuous?

Jeanine- San Francisco

Jeanine,

There really isn’t any reason for you to wait to have her treated.  If you have the piece of the tooth the broke off then the dentist can re-attach it. If you don’t have the piece, they can fix it with dental bonding until she is old enough for a permanent porcelain crown.

Be careful not to price shop these procedures. I cannot stress enough how important it is to see an expert cosmetic dentist. You want your daughter to be comfortable with her appearance. Someone who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) will be able to create a beautiful bonding for your daughter. Be aware that being a member of the AACD and being accredited by them are two very different things. Any dentist can join the AACD, but to become accredited you have to pass a stringent examination and demonstrate your artistic ability.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.