Going to the dentist isn't any fun, but it is one of those things that just has to be done. For years, I fought the process and didn't go for my regular cleanings and in the end, it sure didn't pay to do so. I ended up spending ten times as much time in the chair and a boat-load of money in dental repairs. If you don't like going to the dentist, you can make it easier on yourself. This blog will show you a few tips that can help you improve the experience and get through the treatment without as much discomfort.
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Answers to Common Questions About Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Jordan Arnold
If you have periodic pain in one of your teeth when you bite down on food, then it is very likely that the tooth is cracked. Dentists have a name for this type of problem and call it simply "cracked tooth syndrome." Cracked tooth syndrome is challenging for your dentist to diagnose and is a painful dental problem that will require intervention in order to eliminate your pain.
To help you better understand this dental issue before visiting your dentist's office for treatment, here are the answers to some common questions about cracked tooth syndrome for you to review:
What Exactly Is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?
Cracked tooth syndrome is a fancy dental term for a patient having teeth with cracked enamel. The term syndrome is used because there are many causes for this problem and it often involves multiple teeth.
What Causes Cracked Tooth Syndrome?
Cracked tooth syndrome is typically caused by repeatedly biting down on hard objects, such as:
- ice
- popcorn kernels
- hard candy
- cough drops
- carrots
- apples
In addition, some people have a nervous habit of chewing on plastic pens and this can also cause cracks in tooth enamel.
How is Cracked Tooth Syndrome Diagnosed?
Your dentist has many different ways that they can diagnose your cracked tooth problem, including:
- visual inspection
- x-rays
- a tooth sloth
Your dentist can sometimes see larger cracks in your tooth enamel just by examining your teeth. When the cracks cannot be seen by the naked eye, they can often be seen on dental x-rays. Finally, if the cracks are not visible on the x-ray films, then your dentist will have you bite down on a plastic stick known as a tooth sloth. A tooth sloth is a small concave tool that will help your dentist isolate exactly where the tooth's crack is located.
How is Cracked Tooth Syndrome Treated?
There are three treatments for a cracked tooth:
- sealing the crack with bonding agent
- capping the tooth with a crown
- extracting the tooth
If your tooth only has a small hairline crack, then your dentist can sometimes repair it by sealing the crack with a paint-on bonding agent. Sometimes the tooth will need a root canal and a crown. And, sometimes the tooth will need to be removed and replaced with a dental implant to solve your pain issues.
How to Prevent Problems with Cracked Tooth Syndrome in the Future?
In conclusion, you can avoid problems with cracked tooth syndrome by avoiding hard foods and having regular dental exams by your family dentist. For more information, contact a business such as Kuban David S DDS.
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