5 Dental Procedures That Will Make You Smile Again

Hard candy, popcorn kernel, nuts, and ice have one thing in common! Find out what it is!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever used your teeth to open a package, a candy wrapper, or a tag off your clothes. Don’t worry; you’re not the only one to use your teeth as scissors. But, did you know that using your teeth as scissors is one of the main reasons for tooth repair? A few other food items such as popcorn kernels, hard candy, ice, olive pitts, hard breads or cookies, and even nuts can cause damage to your teeth.

Don’t worry- you don’t have to remove these food items from your diet completely, but be aware that these foods can cause you to crack, break, or otherwise chip your teeth.

Not all cracks, breaks, or chips are created equal. Some cracks are more superficial, while others require a more serious cracked tooth repair. The definitions below explain the types of cracks you can sustain:

• Craze Lines – Craze lines are shallow tiny cracks that affect the outer enamel. Craze lines are common among adults, are painless, and of no major concern.
• Fractured Cusp – This is when a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off causing little pain.
• Cracked Tooth – A crack that begins at the chewing surface and vertically toward the root. The earlier the diagnosis, the better in this case; the longer a cracked tooth is left untreated, the lower the chances are of treating the tooth.
• Split Tooth – A split tooth is a cracked tooth that has been left untreated long-term. The tooth can be split into distinct segments. The whole tooth cannot be saved, but the extent and position of the crack better determines what portion of the tooth can be saved.
• Vertical Root Fracture – This is when the fracture or crack extends from the root of the tooth upward. With minimal signs or symptoms, often these types of cracks aren’t noticed until there are signs of infection within the jawbone or gums.

5 Tooth Repair Procedures

• Veneers – Veneers are bonded covers for your teeth You can have them put on one or more teeth. So if you don’t like the look of the craze lines veneers might be the answer for you.
• Dental Bonding – Bonding is a way to repair chip, cracked, discolored or misshapen teeth. Bonding can last up to 10 years.
• Crown – A crown is a porcelain cover that covers and protects the entire tooth.
• Root Canal- If your cracked tooth extends into the pulp, it can be treatable with a root canal and a crown according to the American Association of Endodontists. The crown would be placed on top to prohibit the crack from spreading further.
• Dental Implant – If you crack or fracture extends past the gum line your tooth is no longer salvageable. You will need a tooth extraction and a dental implant. Dental implants are titanium screws that act as your new tooth root. They are implanted into your jawbone and after 12-16 weeks you will be fitted for a permanent crown.

If you’re in need of tooth repair, remember that Penn Dental Medicine student doctors will give you the dental care you deserve! Call today at (215)898-8965

Related Tags: Why Tooth Repair Is Important For Your Dental Health | Penn Dental Medicine Making You Smile Again