CRACKED TOOTH SYNDROME

You may have a very commonly occurring problem in one of your teeth.

Teeth may crack when subjected to stress of chewing hard foods or ice, or by biting on an unexpected hard object. Teeth with or without restorations may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical silver alloy restorations are most susceptible.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS ARE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Pain on chewing
2. Pain on cold air application
3. Unsolicited pain(usually leakage of sugar into tooth crack)
4. No radiographic evidence of problem
5. No dental decay present
6. Easy verification of crack when tooth is prepared for restoration

TREATMENT FOR CRACKED TEETH:

1. SIMPLE CRACK: The majority of cracked teeth (about nine out of ten) can be treated by placement of a simple crown (cap) on the tooth. When the tooth is prepared for the crown, and a temporary restoration is placed, the pain usually leaves immediately. IF THIS IS THE CASE WITH YOUR TOOTH, WE WILL PLACE THE FINAL CROWN WITHOUT A PROBLEM ON YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT AND THE CONDITION SHOULD BE SOLVED.

1. COMPLEX CRACK: Occasionally (about one in ten) the tooth cracks into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. IF THE PAIN PERSISTS AFTER PLACEMENT OF THE TEMPORARY CROWN, YOU MAY HAVE A CRACK INTO THE PULP OF THE AFFECTED TOOTH. PLEASE CALL US. THIS TOOTH MAY REQUIRE ENDODONTICS (ROOT CANAL THERAPY) BEFORE THE CROWN IS PLACED. This requires about two additional appointments before crown is placed.

It was reported recently in the dental literature that 92% of discolored pits and fissures on molars are decayed and that 90% of old sealants fail. We have laser technology in our dental office(Diagnodent) that allows us to detect this decay at an early stage. The Diagnodent is a low-level diode wavelength laser that flouresces and identifies the bacteria that cause the decay. We then use our Waterlase Laser to remove the decay and place conservative, tooth colored fillings. Come to the dental office of Lawrence T. Fox DDs, in the Fairfax County, Virginia,and experience laser dentistry for yourself.

Dr. Fox’s Son, Erik Fox, was recently accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry. Erik will graduate in June of 2013 and will join the dental practice of Lawrence T. Fox DDS in Burke ,Virginia at that time. Erik has special interest in Laser Dentistry and in Oral Surgery.

Our office wishes to provide you with the following information to aid in your decision regarding your proposed implant treatment. Many patients are not aware of the consequences of losing their teeth or the effects which long term denture or partial denture wearing have on the jaws and bone. When teeth are lost the surrounding bone immediately begins to shrink and atrophy.

• You may not be aware that wearing dentures accelerates bone loss and those old dentures are loose because of bone loss. We wish to inform you of this rather than watching and waiting for bone to disappear to a point where treatment success of ANY kind is in doubt.
• At the end of five years, only 40% are still wearing the partial denture made for them. What, therefore, is its real value and utility? Those patients still wearing partial dentures are all losing bone.
• Of those patients who wear partials, 50% chew better without it.
• One study showed that after 8 years, 40% of the teeth which hook to the partial were lost through decay or fracture.
• Patients with natural teeth can bite with about 200 lbs. of force. Denture wearers can bite with only about 50 lbs. of force. Those wearing dentures for 15 years or more can only bite with about 6 lbs. of force and their diet and eating habits have had to be modified accordingly.
• The average lower denture shifts from side to side approximately ½ inch during chewing and is one of the problems which make getting used to it most difficult.
• Denture wearers have decreased nutritional intake, a ten year shorter life span and 30% can only eat soft foods.
• A single tooth implant success rate is above 98% and unlike a bridge; the teeth adjacent to the implant are no more at risk than if no teeth were missing.
• For the maintenance of bone, the health of adjacent teeth, the longevity of the treatment and comfort of the patient an implant(s) is the treatment of choice.

Even in suburban areas like Burke, Virginia and Northern Virginia there are many denture wearers who could benefit from dental implants. 30 million people in the U.S. have no teeth in one or both arches but are mostly unaware of what dentistry can do to improve their health. Implants can restore your chewing function to the equivalent of someone with natural teeth. If you have any further questions, please call our office to discuss them.

Source: Richard Erickson DDS; Dental Update Newsletter