Patients who attend regular dental visits twice a year are less likely to experience toothaches from issues like cavities and gum disease. However, cracked tooth syndrome can occur at any time, to anyone–and it can really hurt! Over 200,000 cracked teeth are reported annually in the United States, and we see quite a few in our office. 

As a Duncan dentist, Dr. Bridges helps children and adults achieve and maintain great oral health. Supported by a caring team of experts, Dr. Bridges invites you to experience gentle family dental care so you and your loved ones can enjoy excellent oral health for life!

What is cracked tooth syndrome?

Cracked tooth syndrome, or CTS, involves a fracture that does not extend fully across a tooth. The fracture may affect enamel, the sensitive dentin beneath, and in some cases, the pulp within a tooth’s innermost chamber. 

With a cracked tooth, pain occurs when chewing foods, particularly small, hard foods like seeds. In addition, temperature changes, namely cold, can increase pain in the affected tooth. Sweet foods may also cause pain in a cracked tooth. Patients who previously endured a cracked tooth may immediately notice the symptoms. For those who have no previous experience with a cracked tooth, symptoms may  mimic other conditions.

CTS may present with symptoms that may feel like:

• Sinusitis
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) 
• Headaches 
• Ear pain
• Atypical orofacial pain

Your general dentist says this is IMPORTANT! If a cracked tooth isn’t identified and treated promptly, it can grow to cause complete fracture and destroy the tooth.

What causes a cracked tooth?

Oftentimes, a previously treated tooth (fracture or decay) develops a crack. Also, people who chew on non-food items like ice, pen caps, fingernails, etc., are more likely to develop CTS than those who do not have this destructive habit. 

A tooth may develop a crack or cracks from habitual teeth grinding, called bruxism. Additionally, patients with one cracked tooth, statistically, are likely to develop other cracked teeth.

How does a general dentist diagnose a cracked tooth?

Diagnosis of a cracked tooth can be quite difficult. In fact, some dentists miss a cracked tooth during dental inspection, especially when a patient has no CTS symptoms. 

Dr. Bridges may use any of these evaluations to identify CTS:

• X-ray
• Illumination
• Bite test
• Periodontal probing
• Scrape exam
• Percussion test
• Dye test
• Magnification
• Ultrasound

How does Dr. Bridges treat a cracked tooth?

In most cases, if the pulp within a tooth is not affected by the crack and the crack does not extend to the tooth’s roots, application of a dental crown will restore the tooth’s structural integrity. If multiple teeth are affected by cracks and TMJ disorder or bruxism (or both) is to blame, Dr. Bridges will recommend treating the underlying cause, restoring all affected teeth, and ending the problem once and for good.

What if my tooth can’t be saved?

When a tooth crack extends to the pulp of a tooth or down a root, the tooth may require root canal therapy or extraction and replacement. Rest assured, your CTS can be treated. Dr. Bridges, your general dentist, will get you out of pain first, then through thorough examination he’ll determine the best treatment plan to restore comfortable oral function and lasting, good oral health.

The General Dentist Your Family Can Trust

If you or a loved one have a toothache, or you don’t have a general dentist in Duncan, OK, call on Dr. Bridges of Chisholm Trail Smile Center today. We’re accepting new patients and gladly see children, teens, adults, and senior citizens. We also care for special needs patients with gentleness and respect. Call us at 580.255.4880 to schedule your appointment or alert us to your need for emergency dental care.

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Resource: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3467890/  

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Reasons for Dental Bonding

Tooth bonding benefits the appearance and health of a smile by repairing chips and cracks that can lead to cavities and gum disease. Dental bonding also improves discoloration, fills gaps, and lengthens shorter teeth.

Benefits of Tooth Bonding

Patients who have damaged teeth are much more likely to suffer from oral health issues and experience tooth loss. Tooth bonding protects teeth from decay, disease, further damage, and tooth loss by sealing up and strengthening the outer part of the tooth.

A beautiful smile also has its benefits. For example, people who are happy with their teeth feel much more confident at home, work, and in social situations. Additionally, these people smile more often which boosts their mood and the mood of those around them!

Downsides to Dental Bonding

There are no major risks to dental bonding, but there are some downsides to this treatment option.

For starters, composite resin isn’t as strong as natural teeth or other dental materials like porcelain or metal. Therefore, the bonding material is likely to break or chip and need to be replaced. To avoid breaks and chips, don’t eat hard candy or crunchy foods and seek treatment for teeth grinding.

Composite resin is also susceptible to discoloration, especially for people who drink a lot of coffee or tea or people who smoke.

The Tooth Bonding Procedure

Patients who need dental bonding can expect to be in and out of the office in under an hour. This is a simple outpatient procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia.

The first step in the tooth bonding procedure is to choose a composite resin color that matches the patient’s natural tooth shade. Once that is determined, the dentist roughens up the tooth’s surface and applies a glue-type agent to create a strong bond between the tooth and composite resin.

Then, the dentist applies the composite resin, shapes it, and, finally, hardens it with an ultraviolet light.

Alternative Treatment Options

Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are suitable alternatives to dental bonding. Patients with cosmetic issues may be candidates for porcelain veneers. These are thin, porcelain shells that cover the front surface of a tooth to hide imperfections.

Dental crowns are necessary when a tooth has endured damage or decay. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over the entire tooth. It can be made from several materials, but most patients prefer resin, porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM).

Tooth Bonding and More in Duncan, OK

 Have a chipped, cracked, or stained tooth that needs to be restored? Dr. Matthew L. Bridges offers dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns for all your oral health needs. To schedule an initial consultation, contact our friendly dental team today at (580) 255-4880.

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