Cracked Teeth
Cracked Teeth treatment in Jacksonville, FL
Because we live longer and more stressful lives today, we are exposing our teeth to many more years of potentially damaging habits such as clenching, grinding, and chewing on hard objects.
These habits make our teeth more susceptible to cracks. Your endodontist may treat a cracked tooth to prevent further damage to the tooth structure and tissue.
Cracked teeth do not always show any visible signs of damage, but may present a variety of symptoms, including erratic pain when you chew with them, and pain or sensitivity to heat and cold. In many cases, the pain may come and go, making it difficult for your doctor to locate the source.
Why Cracked Teeth Hurt
When the outer hard tissues of the tooth are cracked, chewing can cause movement of the pieces, and the pulp becomes irritated. When biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in a momentary, sharp pain. Irritation of the dental pulp can be repeated many times by chewing.
Eventually, the pulp will become damaged to the point where it can no longer heal itself. The tooth will not only hurt during chewing but may also become sensitive to extreme temperatures. In time, a cracked tooth may begin to hurt all by itself. Extensive cracks will lead to infection of the pulp tissue, even spreading to the bone and gum tissue that surround the tooth.
Types of Cracked Teeth
There are many different types of cracked teeth. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depends on the type, location, and extent of the crack.
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Craze Lines
Craze lines are tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel. These cracks are extremely common in adult teeth. Craze lines are very shallow, cause no pain, and are of no concern beyond appearance.
Fractured Cusp
When a cusp (the pointed part of the chewing surface) becomes weakened, a fracture sometimes results. The weakened cusp may break off by itself or have to be removed by the endodontist. When this happens, the pain will usually be relieved. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal treatment is seldom needed. Your tooth will usually be restored with a full crown by your dentist.
Cracked Tooth
Some cracks extend from the chewing surface of the tooth vertically toward the root. A cracked tooth may not be completely separated into two distinct segments. Because of the position of the crack, damage to the pulp is common. Root canal treatment is frequently needed to treat the injured pulp.
Your dentist will restore your tooth with a crown to hold the pieces together and protect the cracked tooth. At times, the crack may extend below the gingival tissue line, which requires extraction.
Split Tooth
A split tooth is often the result of long-term progression of a cracked tooth. The split tooth is identified by a crack with distinct segments that can be separated. A split tooth cannot be saved intact. The position and extent of the crack, however, will determine whether a part of the tooth can be saved. In rare instances, endodontic treatment and a crown or other restoration by your dentist may be used to save a portion of the tooth.
Vertical Root Fracture
Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of the tooth and extend toward the chewing surface. They often show minimal signs and symptoms and may therefore go unnoticed until the surrounding bone and gum become infected. Treatment may entail extraction of the tooth. However, endodontic surgery is sometimes appropriate if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root.
Preventing Cracked Teeth
While cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take some steps to make your teeth less susceptible to cracks.
Early diagnosis is important. Even with high magnification and special lighting, it can be challenging to determine the extent of a crack. A cracked tooth that is not treated will progressively worsen, and eventually result in the loss of the tooth. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to saving these teeth.
Had a cap prep done. In on time, out on time. Good explanation of process beforehand and during. Dr. Rios and his assistants are a great team!
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Dr. Rios and his staff do a tremendous job of their care and treatment of patients! Very professional and friendly. If you are looking for a reliable dentist and a dedicated staff team, this is the place!
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They have taken wonderful care of me for many years!! I recently referred my husband for some extensive dental work and they took wonderful care of him!!! I will continue to refer people to Dr. Rios and his team at Baymeadows Park Dental!
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After four years of searching I finally found a dentist who is so much like the one I left in Lake Placid, Fl. Dr Rios is kind, personable, efficient and his staff reflects that attitude. Yes I'd recommend him to family. friends and someone who is looking for a really good dentist.
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Amazing dental work! 100% recommended. Very professional and friendly people (Dentist and Hygienists) My husband and I drive from Gainesville twice a year and it is totally worth it!.
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I've been going here for a year now and am completely satisfied. Very little wait, pleasant staff, a great doctor, and best of all my teeth look better than they ever have. Sometimes you get lucky with doctors and this is a great example of this.
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Friendly oriented, excellent treatment, comfortable environment. Procedures done with a touch of class. I was very happy to feel my procedure was perfectly done I now feel comfortable to the taste. Thank you All!
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Dr Rios and his staff are very professional and friendly. My family has been going to Cypress Point Family dentistry for years now and we always recommend them to friends. They are very good at taking the time to explain any additional procedures and to provide cost estimates based on our insurance.
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Love that they are waiting when I arrive and greet me by name. Hygienists are awesome! I love dawn but all the ladies are great! Dr Rios is kind and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!
Marissa K.
Everyone here is always pleasant and efficient in getting me in and out for my appointments. Dawn cleans my teeth with care and is very thorough with my cleanings. Dr. Rios is always quick to get in and look at my teeth after my cleaning is finished so that I can get on with my day without too much downtime. I never feel pressured by their recommendations and never feel like they're trying to sell me products or services I don't really need. Great place with great people, definitely recommend!
Jess T.
I had a super friendly experience attending a cleaning visit here. The Dr. and his assistant used a sound combination of technology and expertise to thoroughly go through my mouth. The pictures were scary, but the advice was priceless. I wish I had visited this office earlier.
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