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.

What is a lip tie?

                                                       

 A membrane called maxillary labial frenulum that connects the underside of the lip to the gums. Lip tie describes the membrane that restricts the normal movements of the lip.

What is a tongue tie?

A short, thick or tight band of tissue called lingual frenulum connects the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth.  Tongue tie can restrict the movement of the tongue and causes problems for the baby to latch onto the mother’s breast during breast feeding. For older children with tongue tie, they may have difficulty sticking out their tongue. Tongue-tie can also affect the way a child eats, speaks and swallows.

What are the symptoms caused by a lip tie in babies?

      If a baby is lip tied, he or she may exhibit these symptoms during breast feeding:

·       Be unable to latch deeply, if at all, causing mother’s nipple pain and damage

·       Have difficulties staying on the breast

·       Make a clicking sound

·       Splutter or choke on milk

·       Cluster feeding-constant feeding to satisfy the baby’s appetite

·       Exhibit poor weight gain

·       Develop jaundice

·       Be excessively fussy or develop colic

                                       If a baby is lip tied, the mother may:

·       Experience pain during feedings

·       Have damaged or distorted nipples

·       Develop engorgement, blocked, ducts, or mastitis

·       Have milk supply issues (low supply due to ineffective removal)

Dental Tips for a Safe Summer

  

Summer is here, it is a wonderful time to slow down and relax with friends and family. Some people will be on family vacations, business trips and leisure travel.  Others may have no definite plan, take it easy or have fun playing sports activities.  Here are some dental tips for a safe summer for you and your family.

Limit sweets and look for low-sugar options

·       Soda, juice, lemonade, sports drinks can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion

·       Look for low-sugar or sugar-free options; use fresh fruit to make frozen popsicles, chew sugar-free gum

Eat healthy snacks

·       For family outings, pack bags of healthy snacks like carrots, celery sticks, sliced apples, string cheese, yogurt, whole grain crackers, trail mix

·       Drink water instead of drinking soda, juice or sports drinks

Establish a summer routine

·       Establishing a summer routine is particular important for school-aged children.  While summer schedules are usually a lot more flexible than usual, it is important to ensure children brush their teeth 2x/day and floss daily

·       Travel sized tooth brushes and tooth paste are great for traveling

·       Disposable tooth brushes are good for staying clean anywhere at any time

Stay hydrated with drinking water

·       Drinking water helps to keep your mouth moist throughout the day.  Water helps wash away plaque causing bacteria and can improve your breath

·       It may be difficult to stick to a regular oral health routine while you and your family are on a road trip. Using water to rinse your mouth after eating helps to flush away food particles and bacteria

Take precaution during activities to prevent dental emergencies

Swimming, skate boarding, bike riding, playing soccer and football are just a few sports that many families enjoy.  Dental injuries may happen and parents need to be prepared for the worst by following these tips:

·       According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), many of the summer oral injuries dentists treat are due to swimming pool accidents

·        Wearing a mouth guard/sports guard may help to protect your children’s teeth and prevent oral injuries.  Talk to your dentist about the options available

·       Children run on slippery pool decks, dive into shallow waters or hit the mouths against the side of the pool may cause serious injuries to their mouths

·       What to do with a knocked out tooth?

-Call and get to the dentist right away

-Clean the area and use gauze to stop the bleeding

-Try placing the tooth back into its socket. Make sure the tooth is facing the right way.  Don’t    try to force the tooth into the socket.  If it does not go back into place easily, then just keep it moist (in milk, saliva or water) and get to the dentist as soon as possible.

·       Academy of General Dentistry recommends an emergency kit to take along for vacation.  It includes a handkerchief, some gauze, a small container with a lid, ibuprofen and your dentist’s contact information

Visit the dentist

·       Schedule your children’s dental checkups early in the summer to avoid the back to school rush.  Schedule the appointment time that works best for you and the children

·       Parents and children feel good about their dental health for the summer

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  She has been taking care of adults and children’s dentistry for over 25 years.  If you and your family have any questions about dental care, please call Dr. Anna Lee for a dental checkup at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com.              The best way to start out the vacation is with a clean and healthy mouth.

Options to Improve Your Smile

Your smile plays an important role on self-esteem, confidence, and how you think others perceive you.  Your smile may affect your career success and social relationships with others. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), 74% of people find that an unattractive smile can get in the way of their career success.  Most people think that attractive smile is an important social asset.   These are some of the options to improve your smile:

Teeth Whitening

There are two types of stains that cause teeth discoloration; intrinsic and extrinsic stains.  Intrinsic stains can be from a mother’s use of antibiotics during pregnancy or childhood exposure to fluoride.  Extrinsic stains are the result of smoking, some medications, beverages (coffee, tea and soda), foods and fruits (blueberries), aging and other factors.

·       In-office Teeth Whitening (chairside) is performed in the dental office for about 60-90 minutes.  Prior to the procedure, an informed consent discussion form is reviewed and signed.  The discussion includes patient’s diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks and treatment.  Most patients are happy and satisfied with the result. Their teeth are whiter and they smile with greater self-confidence!

·       Take-Home Whitening-the dentist takes impressions and fabricates custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper and lower teeth.  The patients are instructed to load the whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays and fit over the upper and lower teeth.  Whitening at home may be more convenient but it can take two to four weeks or longer to whiten teeth or get the result you want.

·       Over-the-Counter Tooth Whitening products can be purchased at the drug stores and on-line.  The American Dental Association (ADA) cautions patients to use accepted whitening products under professional supervision for safety.  Some examples are the whitening strips, brush-on whitening and whitening gum.

*Consult with your Glendora Cosmetic Dentists to determine the type of stain you have and decide which whitening option treatment would work best for you.

Composite Filling/Tooth Colored Filling

Composite filling is a tooth colored material used to close the gaps between teeth; repairs little chips and restores teeth with tooth decay.

·       Esthetics, shades of composite filling material match very closely to the shades of the enamel and dentin

·       Close spaces/gaps between teeth, restore chipped, broken, stained or cracked teeth

·       Minimal tooth structure reduction

·       Inexpensive

·       Single visit procedure

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over the front surface of teeth.  Veneers provide a natural tooth appearance and they can restore chipped, stained, misaligned and worn down teeth.  There are 2 types of veneers; composite resin veneer and porcelain veneer.

Composite resin veneer

·       Resin material that is bonded over the front surface of the tooth

·       Treatment can be completed on the same day

·       No lab work is required

·       Correct small chips, cracks and discoloration of the tooth

·       Not stain resistant

Porcelain veneer

·       Thin layer of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the tooth

·       Requires minimal tooth reduction

·       Treat teeth with intrinsic staining

·       Provide a natural tooth appearance

·       Gum tissues tolerate porcelain well

·       Change tooth’s color and shape

·       Stain resistant

*Consult with your Glendora Cosmetic Dentists to learn about your treatment options.

Ceramic Crowns

Ceramic crowns are fabricated entirely out of a glass-like compound such as porcelain.

·       Esthetic; color and translucency mimic natural tooth; life-like appearance

·       Restore anterior (front) and posterior teeth (back molars)

·       Biocompatible; no allergy problem; teeth tolerate well

There are 2 ceramic materials that are the clinician’s favorites today: Lithium Disilicate and Zirconia. Lithium Disilicate restorations are good choices for single unit restorations, both anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth.  Zirconia restorations are good choices for single unit restorations for the posterior (back) teeth.

Enamel shaping and Contouring

Enamel shaping or contouring involves with contouring the dental enamel to improve the appearance of the teeth.  This procedure is best for patients who just need minimal adjustments of the teeth.

·       Cost, an inexpensive way to improve the look of the teeth

·       Painless, no anesthesia, no discomfort during the procedure

·       Improves health of teeth, minimal shaping/contouring of overlapped teeth may decrease the risk of tooth decay and gum disease

·       Chipped and irregular teeth

·       Minor bite problems

Braces

People of all ages are benefiting from braces.  Braces can straighten crooked/crowded teeth, close spaces/gaps, improve an irregular bite, and correct jaw positioning. 

·       Clear aligners are worn every two weeks to progressively move and straighten crooked or crowded teeth

·       Aligners can be removed while eating, brushing and flossing

Implants

One of the options to replace missing teeth is Dental Implants and restored with Implant Supported Crown. A dental implant feels and looks very close to a natural tooth.  It is a metal post surgically placed beneath the gum which fuses to the bone in the jaw and acts like the root of a tooth.  The dentist makes a custom artificial tooth (Implant Supported Crown) and fits it onto the post portion of the implant.

·       Implant Supported Crown is firmed attached to the implant

·       Esthetic, similar to a natural tooth, comfortable

·       Adjacent teeth do not have to be involved

·       With proper care, implant and implant crown can last for a long time

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you are not quite happy with your smile, call for a FREE consultation to discuss the different options to improve your smile. Please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call 626-335-5114.