A regular visit to the family dentist may reveal that a patient has a chipped or cracked tooth. A patient generally knows if a tooth is fragmented due to its appearance. A tooth can become damaged from improper biting, cavities, poor hygiene, teeth grinding, and trauma. A cracked tooth is often harder to notice because many cracks are invisible to the human eye. Both conditions should be remedied to prevent future problems of the teeth and gums. All patients should consult with a dentist to see what options are available for repairing chipped or cracked teeth.
If a chipped or cracked tooth is left untreated, it may lead to infection of the tooth pulp, gums, or jawbone. Thus, a patient should be aware of the signs of a damaged tooth. One of the first indications is intermittent pain. Pain may appear when biting down or while eating and drinking.
Another sign is sensitivity: A tooth may hurt when consuming something hot or cold. A tooth may be sensitive to sticky, sour, or sweet substances as well. Sometimes it is hard for a patient to identify exactly which tooth is causing the pain or sensitivity. A visit to the family dentist can help identify which tooth is injured.
Depending on the severity of the chip or crack, a dental professional may suggest a variety of treatment options. If the chip or crack is small enough and the patient is not experiencing any pain, the tooth may be left alone. If the patient has pain and sensitivity that affects normal oral health, there are a variety of possible treatments.
A patient should schedule a dental consultation as soon as possible after a tooth has been chipped. If a small piece of a tooth has broken off and the patient saves the piece, it may be possible to reattach it.
If the size of the chip or crack is small, a dental professional may suggest bonding the tooth. This process uses composite material molded to cover the damaged area of the tooth. The material is cured so that it imitates the hard enamel of a tooth and can be shaped and colored to match the other teeth. Bonding of a tooth typically lasts up to 10 years.
The severity of the crack dictates what treatment options are available. If a patient has a crack that extends into the pulp of the tooth, it may be possible to save the tooth with root canal treatment.
If a crack in the tooth spreads into the gum line, it is no longer possible to treat the tooth with any of the options mentioned above. The tooth will probably need to be extracted.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp:
Chipped or Cracked Teeth Repairs in Bakersfield, CA
If patients have any signs of a chipped or cracked tooth, they should visit their family dentist. Early treatment is important to achieve a desirable outcome.
Request an appointment or call Brimhall Dental Group at 661-249-1122 for an appointment in our Bakersfield office.
Routine dental checkups are just as important as brushing and flossing when it comes to oral health. Visiting a family dentist is a smart and convenient option that can provide a number of important advantages for the whole family and help to ensure you all maintain healthy teeth and gums.Some people may assume that there…
Oral cancer occurs inside the mouth and is so often called mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer, and a family dentist will usually check for this disease during routine dental visits. However, if you are experiencing abnormal mouth pain, lumps, or lesions before your next exam, it may be a good idea to schedule an…
Scheduling regular visits to a family dentist is an important part of maintaining good oral health. During routine checkups, patients can expect a visual examination along with occasional X-rays. In addition, the dental team will conduct a series of oral hygiene procedures to keep the teeth and gums strong and prevent decay and disease. While…
Are you looking for CPAP alternatives to treat your sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition that impacts millions of individuals all across the globe. Due to this condition, the patient’s airway closes while they are asleep. This can lead to symptoms like difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, snoring, morning headaches, and…
Dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but they require regular denture care and maintenance. In fact, dentures can last for ten or more years with proper denture care. How long dentures will last depends on how well and how often you take care of them.Dentures rarely need repairs, but dentists recommend…