March 15, 2016
Causes of a Fractured Tooth Root Excessive pressure or hard trauma Like with several traumatic dental injuries, a fractured root commonly affects those who have already had multiple. Fractured root relating to fragile teeth Age, a fractured tooth and root is often seen in elderly people. Cracked tooth syndrome could be considered a type of dental trauma and also one of the possible causes of dental pain. One definition of cracked tooth syndrome is 'a fracture plane of unknown depth and direction passing through tooth structure that, if not already involving, may progress to communicate with the pulp and/or periodontal ligament.'
We are here this week to talk about some of the reasons that teeth break and the importance of seeking dental treatment for broken teeth, even if the break is small. According to the American Association of Endodontists, it is important to seek dental treatment as soon as possible if you notice that one of your teeth is broken. Early treatment for broken teeth is important so that the problem does not get worse. When teeth are broken, the nerve is less protected from the bacteria is the mouth and an infection is likely to develop. This infection can cause pain and discomfort and may necessitate that your tooth be extracted. In our blog today, we will explain some of the reasons that teeth break, the dangers of not treating a broken tooth, and some of the ways that your dentist may treat your broken tooth or teeth.
Cracked Tooth Repair
Dr. Harth and Dr. Townsend, along with our entire dental team at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, are commited to patient education. One of the ways that we keep our patients up to date about all things dentistry is with our weekly blogs. We want to explain some of these dangers to you today so that you understand the importance of seeking dental treatment when you notice that a tooth is broken. We do not want you to experience any pain if it can be avoided. Often times, people do not seek treatment for broken teeth because they are not experiencing any pain or discomfort. This is a mistake and can lead to significantly larger problems down the road. A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency and we will do our best to accommodate you. If you are currently searching for a dentist and live in or around the Ponte Vedra Beach community, look no further than Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry. We can meet all of your dental needs and are always accepting new patients. If you have any unanswered questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us at any time electronically or call (904)285-7711.
Danger Of A Cracked Tooth
Why Do Teeth Break?
Teeth are naturally strong, but they do break from time to time. There are many reasons that a tooth may break. When the front teeth break, especially in children, it is usually due to a fall a fall or a hit to the face or mouth. Teeth can also break due to grinding and clenching habits that may cause enamel to be worn away or fracture off. If large cavities are not treated, the decay in the teeth can eventually cause breaks, especially in the back teeth. Finally, old and large fillings that do not properly support the remaining tooth structure can also fracture.
What Are The Dangers of Having a Broken Tooth?
When a tooth breaks, it may or may not cause you pain. The sharp fracture line on the tooth, however, may irritate your tongue or cheek. If the break in the tooth is close to the nerve, you may experience a range of sensations, which range from mild sensitivity to cold and hot to extreme toothaches that are almost unbearable. You may experience increased pain when biting down because biting puts pressure on the tooth. It is important to seek dental treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the nerve. If a break is small and is repaired early on, there may be little to no nerve damage. Larger breaks, unfortunately, may require root canal treatment or extractions.
How Are Broken Teeth Treated?
The proper treatment for your broken tooth is determined by your dentist depending on the type of fracture and the size of the fracture. Small chips can be repaired with a tooth-colored restorative material called composite. Larger chips, broken cusps, and cracked teeth may require crowns and/or root canal treatment, depending on the depth of the damage. Decay-induced breaks, which are teeth that crumble because a cavity has weakened them from the inside out, may require a new filling, a crown, a root canal, or an extraction. The course of treatment is determined by the extent of damage and the amount of protection that your dentist deems necessary to save the tooth. A common treatment option for a broken or cracked tooth is a crown. For more information on crowns, please watch the following video from the American Dental Association.
We hope that you learned something today and encourage you to seek dental treatment if you have a tooth that breaks. It is imperative that your dentist repair the broken tooth in order for the tooth remain in tact and symptom-free. If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us at any time electronically or call (904)285-7711.
Symptoms Of A Cracked Tooth