Cracked Tooth Syndrome

What is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Cracked Tooth Syndrome- a tooth that has a crack and may be painful when biting or chewing in a certain way. The pain may be mild or intense and can last for a brief moment or a long time.  The pain is caused by the pressure of biting onto the cracked tooth; the crack opens and irritates the pulp.   The crack in a tooth is often undetectable by the human eyes.  The crack is usually too small to show up on dental x-rays. The treatment of a tooth that has the Cracked Tooth Syndrome depends on the size and location of the crack.  Treatment options may be a filling, a crown, root canal therapy, an extraction or no treatment.

Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome

·       No pain

·       Mild or intense pain

·       Sharp pain when biting down that quickly disappears; pain when biting down a certain way

·       Pain that comes and goes but does not hurt all the time; pain lasts for a brief time or a long time (months).  Pain is unpredictable.

·       Pain when eating or drinking; hot or cold temperature, or eating foods that are sweet, sour or sticky

The crack in a tooth is often undetectable by the human eyes.  So, look out for localized pain that flares up when biting down into food or when exposing the tooth to hot or cold temperature.

Diagnosis

Patients with Cracked Tooth Syndrome may have symptoms for a long time (months). It is one of the most difficult dental problems to diagnose.

·       Complete oral examination

·       Dental history

·       Symptoms

·       X-rays, fiber optic handpiece  assists the detection of the crack, stain crack with a special dye

·       Patients who have cracked teeth are likely to have other cracked teeth

Treatment depends on:

·       Location of the crack

·       The size of the crack

·       How deep the crack is

Dentist recommendations:

·       If the crack is tiny and superficial (craze line), there may be no treatment and just observation

·       Restore the tooth with a filling

·       Restore the tooth with a crown to protect further cracking of the tooth

·       Endodontic (root canal therapy) may be needed if the crack has extended into the pulp

·       Extraction of the tooth  may be necessary if the crack has extended below the gum line and into the root

Prevention

·       Avoid chewing on hard objects or foods like ice, nuts or hard candy

·       Avoid accidents: biting into frozen foods, tripping/falling on an uneven sidewalk, hitting by a hard object and others

·       Teeth grinding and clenching can increase the risk of Cracked Tooth Syndrome.  Talk to the dentist about wearing a night guard.  The night guard can be worn during sleep and other times if clenching happens during the waking hours.

Prognosis

Treatment of Cracked Tooth Syndrome may not always be successful.  Consult with the dentist about the treatment options.  In some patients, a crown may solve the dental problem.  In others, root canal therapy solves the problem.  And there are some patients who need an extraction of the tooth if the crack is deep and extensive.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  She has been practicing dentistry for more than 30 years.  If you have any questions about the symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome, call our office for a consultation at 626-335-5114. Or visit us at www.annaleedds.com.

Benefits of Smiling

Your smile is one of the first things people notice.  Your smile can make a memorable impression from the very first start.  People who smile may be perceived as more happy, successful and trustworthy. Smiling has both health and social benefits.

Some of the health benefits of smiling

1.     Improved  mood

·       Smiling can boost your mood and may be beneficial for people struggling with depression and anxiety.

·       Smiling and having positive thoughts can help to lift your spirits.

2.     Lower blood pressure

·       Smiling/laughter-muscle relaxation and decrease in heart rate and blood pressure

·       Reduce risk of developing heart disease.

3.     Stress relief

·       Lower heart rate during stressful tasks

·       Smiling releases endorphins which are a group of hormones that help to relieve pain and stress

4.     Stronger immune function

·       Mayo Clinic reports that laughter and positive thoughts release molecules in the brain that fight stress and illnesses.

·       Laughter therapy increases immune responses in postpartum women.

5.     Pain relief

·       Mayo Clinic reports laughter causes your body a higher pain tolerance.

·       Smiling/laughter increases pain threshold and creates a higher pain tolerance.

Some of the social benefits of smiling

1.     Smiles are contagious

·       Smiles make you feel good. Smiles make others feel good

·       Smiles are great first impression and relationship builder

2.     Better relationship

·       People who smile are perceived as being more likable than those who don’t smile

·       Being likable makes it easier to build and maintain better relationships

3.     Attractive & sociable

·       People who smile are viewed as more attractive and sociable

·       You don’t have to have perfect looking teeth but a smile reflects your self confidence

4.     Confidence & self-esteem

·       Your smiles tell people some things about you: self-confidence and self-esteem.

·       May get better job opportunity, promotion, and better/higher pay.

5.     Trustworthy

·       Your smile is the first impression people notice.

·       Some job interviewers say they can tell from the first impression whether or not the job applicant would be a successful and trustworthy employee.

Smiles are contagious. When you smile, people respond with a smile back.  It is a good and wonderful feeling when you can smile with confidence.  Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  Contact Dr. Anna Lee for a consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit our website at annaleedds.com and find out how you can get the smile that you want.

Periodontal Disease = Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease, it is a bacterial infection of the gum tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place.  It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky and colorless film that forms on the teeth. The early stages of gum disease can often be reversed and maintained with proper brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings & check ups with the dentist.  Gum disease that is left untreated can lead to tooth loss and other periodontal complications and problems.

This is the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) classification of Periodontal Disease:

Type I  Gingivitis

·       Earliest stage of gum disease

·       No loss of attachment, no bone loss

·       Bleeding on probing may be present

·       At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversible since there is no bone loss.

·       Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings help to remove plaque

Type II  Early Periodontitis

·       Pocket depths or attachment loss: 3-4mm.  Bone loss is present.

·       Periodontal pockets are formed as the dental tissues (gums and supportive ligaments) begin to pull away from the tooth.  These pockets trap bacteria and causes gum infection

·       Localized area of gingival recession; gums pull away and expose the root

·       Bleeding on probing may be present

·       Damages caused by gum disease is irreversible

Type III  Moderate Periodontitis

·       Pocket depths or attachment loss: 4-6mm.   Bone loss is present.

·       Bleeding on probing

·       Furcation involvement

·       Teeth show mobility (loose)

·       Damages cause by gum disease is irreversible

Type IV  Advanced Periodontitis

·       Pocket depths or attachment loss: greater than 6mm.   Bone loss is present.

·       Supporting tissues and bone are destroyed. 

·       Bleeding on probing

·       Furcation involvement

·       Teeth show increased mobility (loose).  Some teeth are so loose that they may need to be extracted.

·       Damages caused by gum disease is irreversible

Signs of Periodontal Disease

·       Gums are red, swollen or tender

·       Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing

·       Teeth that look longer due to gum recessions

·       Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums

·       Loose or shifting teeth

·       Persistent  bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

·       Changes in how the teeth fit together when biting (occlusion)

·       Changes of the fit of a partial denture

Gum disease can occur at any age.  If gum disease is detected and treated at early stages, it can be reversed and maintained.  Currently, there is no cure for gum disease. 

If you notice any signs of periodontal disease, please contact Glendora Dentist, Dr. Anna Lee for a dental checkup.  You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease.  Dr. Anna Lee can help to save your teeth. Call and schedule a free consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com