Fractured Teeth Types and Treatments

Fractured Teeth Types and Treatments

Tooth fractures can be of different types and each type needs to be treated differently.

• Minor Cracks: These are also known as “craze lines” and are surface cracks affecting the white surface of your tooth, known as the enamel. These cracks do not require any treatment.
  However, a dentist might polish the effected area to smoothen the rough spots.
  
• Cracked Tooth: This is one such fracture type that affects the tooth on the whole, from the surface used for chewing to the nerve. Cracks can often be mended with typical dental filling materials.
  The tooth can also be prevented with the help of a crown and this also helps in preventing the worsening of tooth. If there’s a damage in the pulp (nerve, live tissues), a root canal treatment might be needed.
• Chips: Minor chips might not need treatment all the time. Your dentist might just repair the damage with the help of filing material in order to prevent worsening. If the chip is a tiny one, polishing would be enough to even out the area that has been chipped.
• Broken Cusps: These are breaks that affect the pointed cusps or the chewing surface of your teeth. They are unlikely to affect your pulp and might not cause any pain as well. Your dentist might feel the need to mend the damage if it disrupts chewing. A crown or onlay might however be required.
• Serious Breaks: These are deeper breaks that can expose and affect the nerve. This causes pain and tooth sensitivity. The broken part of a tooth usually bleeds. You will have to undergo a root canal treatment for removing the nerve that has been exposed and then crown it in order to bring the tooth back to its regular functions so that you can chew and eat properly.
• Split Tooth: In this case, the tooth splits vertically into separate parts. Some teeth, like the ones at the back (the molars), have quite a few roots. One of the roots can possibly be kept and then covered with a crown.
  Firstly, a root canal treatment becomes obvious. Secondly, the damaged roots will be removed by the dentist. Thirdly, the root will be covered by a crown and the tooth will be replaced. In case if the root is totally damaged and can in no ways be saved, removing the tooth is the ultimate choice.
• Vertical Breaks / Split Root: These cracks affect the root of tooth first and then expand upwards to reach the chewing surface. These are painful breaks and are caused by infection and inflammation. This calls for a tooth removal.
• Decay-Induces Break: This is a case of a broke tooth caused by cavities that weaken the tooth, inside out. A dentist will examine the cavity and will then recommend the best way of restoring the tooth. In certain cases, the tooth might have to be removed.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Isidoros  Mereos enjoys bettering the lives of his patients through the practice of cosmetic dentistry at Precious Smiles in the Miami Beach area. Our team looks forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

What Causes Root Canal Pain?

What Causes Root Canal Pain?

Common causes of root canal pain include:

• Decay: Tooth decay that has penetrated the outer layers of the teeth causes root canal pain.
• Damage: Cracks or chips in teeth can cause tooth decay and root canal pain.
• Dental Procedures: Repeated dental procedures in the same area can promote deep tooth decay and root canal pain. 

Step-by-Step Root Canal Pain Review

Here’s what you can expect when you have a root canal procedure to relieve root canal pain:

• Setting the Scene: Your dental professional will take an x-ray to determine the extent of the infection.
• Numbing Up: You will receive a local anesthetic to make you more comfortable, and a sheet of rubber called a “rubber dam” will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry.
• Diving In: Next, your dentist or endodontist will drill an access hole into the tooth and use special tools to remove the damaged nerve and pulp tissue.
• Closing Out: Once the infected material is removed, your dentist will either seal the tooth on the same day, or put in a temporary filling to protect you from root canal pain until a customized crown is ready. Sealing the tooth involves placement of a rubber compound into the root canal where the decayed material was removed. A filling is placed over the access hole.
• Finishing Up: A crown, filling, or other tooth restoration completes the process of relieving your root canal pain. Many people who have undergone the procedure say it is no worse than having a cavity filled.

Do Root Canal Procedures Really Relieve Root Canal Pain?

Root canal pain is relieved after most root canal procedures. Data from root canal procedures show a 95 percent success rate, and many teeth that are preserved with root canal procedures can last for the rest of your life. But complications that could occur and cause new root canal pain include:

• A breakdown of the dental sealant
• An unrecognized crack in the tooth root
• A defective crown or a filling that allows bacteria back into the tooth pulp 

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.