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Fractured Teeth - Huntsville, AL
Cracked Tooth Repair
There are a number of warning signs that indicate there may be a fracture in a tooth. It is important that we repair these fractures right away. Contact our team immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of a fractured tooth:
- Sharp pain while biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to changes in temperature that lingers even when the hot or cold item is removed
- Pain when biting down and releasing the bite as the pressure causes the tooth or its fractured pieces to shift
- Throbbing toothache that comes and goes leading to difficulty diagnosing the underlying causes of pain
Sometimes a chip will expose the pulp of the tooth that can be treated by your general dentist by placing a filling over the injured area. However, other exposures may require root canal treatment.
Injuries in the back teeth often include fractured cusps, fractured teeth and the more serious split teeth. Fractures may or may not extend into the root. If the fracture does extend into the root and affects the pulp, root canal treatment is usually necessary in an attempt to save all or a portion of your tooth.
Traumatic Injuries
Dislodged Teeth
Whether due to sports, car accidents, or other trauma, teeth may undergo pulpal degeneration. Dr. Bishop or your general dentist can reposition and stabilize the dislodged tooth. However, root canal therapy is almost always necessary to restore full health and function. Within a few weeks of injury, we will examine the roots.
A less severe type of dislodging may occur if the tooth is pushed partway out of the socket. In this case, Dr. Bishop or your general dentist will need to reposition and stabilize the tooth. Then, the tooth should be monitored. If there are not any signs of pulp damage, cracks, or infection, you may not need endodontic treatment.
Avulsed Teeth
If a tooth is completely knocked out of your mouth, time is of the essence. If this type of injury happens to you, pick up your tooth by the crown, or chewing portion. Try not to touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it in water. Do not use soap or any other cleaning agent. If possible, place the tooth back into its socket. Go to the dentist immediately.
If you cannot put the tooth back in its socket, be sure to keep it moist. The less time the tooth spends drying out, the better the chance of saving the tooth. You can put the tooth in milk or a glass of water with only a pinch of salt, or you can simply put it in your mouth between your gum and cheek. Bring your tooth to the dentist immediately.
If the tooth has been put back in its socket, your general dentist may stabilize the tooth with a splint and check for any other facial injuries. If the tooth has not been put back into its socket, your general dentist will examine the tooth to determine if it is still intact and check for other facial injuries. Your general dentist will clean the tooth carefully and place it gently back into the socket. Your tooth may need to be stabilized with a splint for a period of time. Depending on the stage of root development, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist to start root canal treatment. A medication may be placed in the tooth followed by a permanent root canal filling at a later date. The length of time the tooth was out of the mouth and the way the tooth was stored before reaching the dentist may influence the type of treatment you receive. You should contact your physician to see if a tetanus booster is necessary.
Types of Tooth Pain
Constant pain and pressure, gum swelling, sensitivity to touch.
These symptoms in conjunction are typically an indication that the tooth is abscessed or infected. Dr. Bishop can examine the tooth, remove infected tissue, and relieve pain. She will then partner with your general dentist to restore the damaged tooth.
Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw.
This could be caused by unconscious teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), strain of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or even sinus headaches. Your general dentist can help with teeth grinding and TMJ dysfunction, and you should contact your physician if you’re experiencing sinus infection or headaches. If all of these concerns are ruled out and you still experience this pain, Dr. Bishop may be able to provide treatments that relieve pressure on gums and bone tissue and chronic pain caused by the roots or nerves of teeth.
Chronic pain in head, neck or ear.
If you experience chronic head, neck, ear, or shoulder pain, damaged or infected pulp tissue may be the culprit. Contact our team to schedule an evaluation. If we determine the chronic pain is not related to pulp damage, we will refer you to a general dental or medical professional who can help with your unique concerns.
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods after dental treatment.
Following even the most routine dental care like a teeth cleaning, you may experience some increased sensitivity. This is not necessarily a problem as long as the discomfort is minimal and quickly abates. Use oral hygiene products made for sensitive teeth, and avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages for a few days. If you have waited several weeks, used toothpastes for sensitive teeth, and avoided very hot and cold items and are still experiencing sensitivity, your treatment may have damaged or inflamed the pulp. Return to the general dentist who provided the initial treatment for a reevaluation. If pulp damage is discovered, contact Dr. Bishop for endodontic care.
Sharp pain when biting down on food.
Any number of dental concerns can cause pain while eating including cavities, loose or damaged restorations, fractures in teeth, and pulp infection or trauma. Contact your general dentist for an examination. If the dentist determines there is pulp damage, you may be referred to Dr. Bishop for more advanced treatment.
Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods.
This is one indicator that the interior layer of the tooth, the pulp, where the nerve system is housed has been damaged. Contact Dr. Bishop right away. You may need root canal therapy to prevent the need for tooth extraction.