The Importance of Repairing or Replacing Cracked Teeth
Oh no. You’re chewing on hard candy, and now your tooth feels a little sensitive, but it doesn’t hurt. Likewise, the sensitivity seems to come and go. Should you call the dentist or play the wait-and-see game? A cracked tooth can be a minor concern, or it can develop into a big problem without treatment. If the structure of the tooth is compromised, bacteria can find its way into the tooth, causing tooth decay or gum disease.
Doing nothing puts you at risk for more significant problems down the road, including losing the tooth entirely. Rolling the dice may not be a wise decision when there’s so much on the line.
Christopher R. Pottorff, DMD of Advanced Dental & Implant Care serving patients in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, offers these insights on treating cracked teeth. Additionally, he will ensure you understand your options and how important it is to seek treatment. And for your convenience, at Advanced Dental & Implant Care, all implant procedures are performed in one location.
Like most things in life, it’s prudent to start at the beginning. First, find out what you are dealing with and how severe it is. That means making an appointment with your dentist even if the pain isn’t constant. After all, you want to avoid an unbearable toothache and or tooth loss, if at all possible.
The good news is that there is a wide range of treatment options available to fix cracked teeth regardless of the severity of the damage.
Dental Crowns
If a cracked tooth results in more extensive damage to the enamel and dentin, then a dental crown might be your best option. Placement of dental crowns usually requires two office visits. The crown strengthens the damaged tooth, preventing further splitting. Also, the dental crown restores the appearance, feel, shape, and function, so the tooth looks, feels, and acts like your natural teeth.
Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement
In some cases, the damage from a cracked tooth is so severe that you may need a tooth extraction. Replacing missing teeth is vital to maintaining the integrity and function of surrounding teeth as well as protecting you from further tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss in your jaw.
A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement option where Dr. Pottorff, surgically places the artificial tooth in your jawbone. Over several months, the implant fuses with the bone. Dr. Christopher Pottorff performs the entire dental implant procedure at his office, Advanced Dental & Implant Care. Thus, providing you with the comfort and convenience of having your implant procedure done in one location by one doctor, Dr. Christopher Pottorff.
Contact Us Today!
Call us at Advanced Dental & Implant Care for a no-charge consultation, which includes a CT scan done in our office. We serve patients in the greater Algonquin area, including Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake, Illinois.