Are you dealing with a cracked tooth? Continue reading to find out what questions you should ask your dentist about this condition. A cracked tooth can occur in a variety of ways, and it is imperative to treat the tooth as quickly as possible to prevent it from worsening or leading to other more serious oral health problems. To help ensure the situation is handled properly, be sure to ask your dentist the questions laid out in this review.
You should ask your dentist about what signs indicate a cracked tooth is a dental emergency, what treatment options are available, and how you can prevent a cracked tooth in the future, along with any additional questions that you may have about your cracked tooth or oral health in general.
During the initial conversation with your dentist, be sure to explain your symptoms in detail. If this is over the phone, then the dental office may recommend coming in within the next few days if the symptoms indicate any urgency. If the symptoms are mild and tolerable, then the patient may be able to wait longer for treatment and care for the tooth at home beforehand. In general, the symptoms that indicate a dental emergency are severe swelling of the gums and lymph nodes and intolerable discomfort.
If a tooth is severely cracked beyond what can be repaired, then the best option may be to extract and replace the tooth with a crown. Whether or not the tooth can be saved depends on how much of the tooth’s root is impacted and the patient’s treatment preference. Most dentists do all they can to save a cracked tooth from becoming lost, but in some cases, it is best to simply remove and replace the tooth to prevent lingering or worsening concerns.
For a small crack in a tooth, the best treatment options are generally to either place a dental crown over the tooth or repair the crack with dental bonding or a dental veneer. If tooth replacement is necessary, then the most commonly used options are a dental implant restoration, a fixed dental bridge, or a partial removable denture. Each offers particular pros and cons that should be considered and discussed with a dentist before making a decision.
Of course, the best treatment solution for one patient may look different than the preferred treatment for someone else. A small crack may only require dental bonding to cover and protect the cracked portion of the tooth. An inlay or onlay, which is similar to a crown but only covers the damaged portion of the tooth, may be your best option for moderate cracks or cracks that occur on teeth that are commonly used for chewing purposes, such as molars and premolars. A crown is usually placed when the damage is more severe, although they are often a good solution for minor cracks, as well.
A dental veneer is usually only recommended when repairing a front tooth and the patient wants the most aesthetically pleasing restoration possible; veneers usually cost more and require the removal of some dental enamel. Lastly, tooth replacement solutions such as dental implant restorations, fixed bridges, and partial dentures, are used when the tooth cannot be saved.
It is important to determine the cause of the cracked tooth and find ways to prevent it from happening again. Of course, instances of dental trauma (e.g., a blow to the face during a car accident) are obvious causes, but they can be more subtle as well, such as grinding teeth while sleeping at night. Whatever the cause may be, it is important to have a plan in place to prevent teeth from becoming cracked in the future.
If you have one or more cracked teeth that require treatment, then contact us today. Our team will answer your initial questions about treatment and will help you schedule an appointment. Here at our practice, we believe that each one of our patients deserves a beautiful smile, and we are here to help you address issues of dental trauma, oral health, and much more.
Request an appointment here: https://wrightdentalco.com or call Wright Dental Co. Dental Office of Dr. Houston Wright at (805) 914-0505 for an appointment in our Santa Barbara office.
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