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.

One of the trends in today’s dentistry is the shift toward microdentistry-the practice of removing the least amount of tooth structure necessary to eliminate decay and then replacing it as conservatively,comfortably and esthetically as possible. The key to minimally invasive microdentistry is prevention and early accurate cavity diagnosis followed by microinvasive treatment and palcement of biominetic restorations(restorations using materials that most closely mimic natural tooth structure).

In our office, accurate diagnosis is achieved using loupes with magnification and illumination. We also use laser decay diagnosis(the Diagnodent).

Once the decay is discovered, we use a Waterlase laser to remove the decay. Using hydrokinetic energy, the Waterlase safely and easily eliminates the cavity. In most cases no anesthesia(shot) is necessary.

Call our dental office in Burke, Virginia, for an exam and consultation. We are always accepting New Patients.