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.

Tips for a Positive Dental Visit

 

Having a positive dental visit is so important for you and your children. The goal of Dr. Anna Lee and her team when you visit is to improve your smile, but also to ensure you are comfortable and have the experience you need to have to enjoy coming back. Here are 4 tips to helping your child enjoy their dental visit.

·       schedule your child’s first dental visit by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

·       schedule a morning appointment when the child is well rested and cooperative.

·       stay positive!   Say positive things about going to the dentist. 

·       make your child’s visit an enjoyable outing.  Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifetime of good dental health.

For more information on improving your dental visit, contact Dr. Anna Lee and her team today.

End of Your Child’s Visit

Once you and your child spend time with Dr. Anna Lee there may be some things you need to know.  Your dental visit is important and is the key to your dental health. Here are 6 tips to keep in mind after your dental visit with Dr. Lee and her team.

·       review and discuss the findings of the exam

·       learn how to clean your child’s teeth

·       receive advice of home care, oral hygiene, diet and use of toothpaste

·       know what to expect as your child grows and develops in the coming months

·       schedule a 6 months checkup and hygiene appointment

·       they will reward the child a prize, stickers, crayons, key chains and age appropriate toys, for being such an excellent patient

For more information on your dental visit, contact Dr. Lee and her team.

Preparing the Child for their First Dental Visit

Your child’s first dental visit can be very scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these few suggestions in order to create a wonderful experience for your child.

·      Sneak preview of a dental visit- Some dentists tell the parents to bring their child in to watch or observe at their checkup and hygiene appointment. Most children love watching their parents getting their teeth cleaned.  Children often ask, “What are you doing?”  This is a good opportunity to talk to their children about the positive experience they have getting their teeth cleaned.

·      Read books/on-line resources- There are many children’s books and on-line resources about dental health and children’s first dental visit

·      Fill out dental forms ahead of time and prepare a list of questions or concerns for discussion

·      Make sure the child is well rested.  Schedule morning appointments

·      Bring an extra diaper and snack for the child

·      Bring a favorite toy, blanket or other familiar object. They help the child to know that the dental office is a comfortable and safe place

For more information on how to prepare your little one for their first dental visit, contact Dr. Lee and her team today.

Why Are My Gums Bleeding? How Bleeding Gums Can Effect Cosmetic Dentistry?

One of the reasons new patients come for a dental visit is that they have noticed bleeding gums.  The question is:

            Is it normal that my gums bleed when I brush and floss? 

The answer is: No, it is not normal and not healthy to have bleeding gums.  There are different reasons that gums may start to bleed during brushing or flossing; some are temporary and some can develop into more serious stages of periodontal disease. 

Is it normal for my gums to be swollen or puffy?

The answer is: No, it is not normal. Puffy and swollen gums are a sign that your gums are not healthy and that there is a problem. Visiting the dentist can help determine how much of a problem you are facing.

For more information on periodontal disease and other gum diseases contact Dr. Lee and her team today.