What to Expect When You Visit the Dentist
Cracked teeth happen, but they can happen in a number of different ways. A trip, a fall, a blow to the mouth. Biting down on an apple that's just a bit too hard. Grinding your teeth at night and doing so just a little too hard. Or maybe you notice that after such an incident your tooth doesn't seem to be cracked or broken but it does seem to have been dislodged or pushed back and that too is rather disconcerting.
Sometimes there isn't actually much pain involved when a tooth gets cracked. Sometimes it's only painful when you eat or drink something very hot or very cold. Sometimes there is lots of pain. So, when should you actually see a dentist? Should you even bother?
The answer to the second question will always be a 'yes'. Whenever a tooth has been cracked, fractured or dislodged there is a very real danger of permanent damage. Should you see a dentist on an emergency basis? That may vary from case to case, but to be on the safe side it may be a good idea to call an emergency dentist for advice as to how best to proceed based upon what has happened to you.
How are Cracked Teeth Treated?
So, you are headed to the dentist to get your damaged tooth looked at. What can you expect once you get there? That again will depend very much upon what damage has actually been done to the tooth. In some cases, cracked teeth can cause nerve damage as well as damage to the outer surface of the tooth. In others, there may be a danger of infection to any exposed pulp. And in almost every case we see, a patient is concerned about what can be done to minimise the aesthetic damage to their smile.
Common treatments for cracked or broken teeth, however, include all of the following:
Porcelain Crowns or Veneers
Temporary braces or brackets
Teeth Whitening
Removal of the teeth or Extractions
Gum Treatment or Periodontal Treatment
As you can see, the possible treatments vary quite widely. Just which will be appropriate for you is a decision you and your dentist will make after you have undergone a thorough dental examination and, very importantly, x-rays, that will help determine just what damage has been done.
Whatever treatments you do eventually need for your cracked or dislodged tooth the one thing you should not do is ignore the problem or put off a trip to the dentist. Modern dental techniques can help repair all kinds of damage and save teeth that may otherwise have had to be pulled, but often time is of the essence.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Cracked or dislodged teeth can be effectively treated and repaired. Prompt treatment is the key, however, so the faster you see a dentist after cracking a tooth the better