At PQ Family Dentistry, Drs. Tim Belnap and W. Brandon Jergensen offer a comprehensive range of dental treatments designed to restore form, function, and integrity to structurally damaged teeth. This includes treatment options for tooth fractures of all types. At our Rancho Peñasquitos, CA cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry practice, we are able to treat even the most complex tooth fractures, helping patients to achieve optimal oral health using state-of-the-art technology and the most advanced techniques.
As with most dental problems, it is best to seek treatment for tooth fractures when they are in their earliest stages. However, in many cases, tooth fractures do not produce noticeable symptoms until they have progressed to the point that they have caused damage to the teeth. This is why it is so important to visit our office at least twice a year for complete oral exams and professional cleanings, even if you feel that your teeth and gums are in perfect health. Our dentists can then diagnose tooth fractures and other oral health issues before they have an opportunity to develop into larger problems.
Have you had an oral exam within the past six months? If not, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at PQ Family Dentistry today.
Symptoms of Tooth Fractures
In their earliest stages, tooth fractures can produce extremely subtle symptoms. The most common symptoms of tooth fractures in these early stages include:
- Swollen gums near one of your teeth.
- Shooting pains when you chew.
- Tooth sensitivity when you chew or when you expose your teeth to hot or cold temperatures.
- General tooth pain that cannot be pinpointed to a single tooth.
How Are Different Types of Tooth Fractures Treated?
Here is how our dentists treat the following common types of tooth fractures:
- Craze lines: Craze lines are superficial fractures that occur in the protective enamel layers of the teeth. While they can be cosmetically unappealing, they aren’t particularly harmful otherwise. They can be concealed with porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or dental crowns.
- Cracked tooth: Minor cracks can usually be treated with a dental crown, which will protect and restore strength to the tooth. In the case of more extensive cracks, however, it is possible that one or more of the tooth’s root canals have been breached. If so, the dental pulp within the tooth may have become infected, in which case root canal therapy will have to be performed.
- Split tooth: If a fracture has divided a tooth into two separate pieces, at least one piece will have to be extracted. It may be possible to leave the other piece in place, though root canal therapy will likely have to be performed, followed by the placement of a dental crown.
- Vertical root fracture: This type of fracture begins in the root of the tooth and progresses toward the crown. It may be possible to salvage the tooth through root canal surgery; more likely, extraction and replacement of the tooth will be necessary.
Learn More about Treatment for Tooth Fractures
To learn more about treatment for tooth fractures, please contact PQ Family Dentistry today.
