Don’t Delay Treatment for a Cracked Tooth

There are circumstances under which a tooth is no longer viable and needs to be extracted. The top four situations are: 

1. when a tooth is so broken or damaged that a dentist judges it to be beyond repair.
2. if a tooth has so much decay that it can’t be mended with root canal therapy, a crown or a filling. 
3. to eliminate crowding. If someone has a jaw that’s too small to accommodate all of its teeth, if a tooth is growing into or on top of a tooth next to it, or if you’ve developed extra teeth, pulling a troublesome tooth may be the likely solution. 
4. advanced periodontal disease. When plaque under gums is so prevalent and destructive that it has eaten away at gum tissue and bone, the only solution may be to pull one or more teeth. 

At the office of Linda Ricks, DDS, MS, PC, we are enthusiastic about treating your oral health. It’s as important to our professionals as it is to you. Our board-certified endodontists treat all kinds of conditions, including extractions. In addition to the high-quality, comprehensive care we provide, we also have a welcoming, patient-focused environment in which each client will feel at ease.

Following the extraction, it won’t be unusual for the site to bleed a bit. But it’s imperative that you not touch the socket area, lest you hinder the forming of the blood clot that must form. In most instances, stitches are used to help with initial control of bleeding and clot formation. Your endodontist will recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever and tell you to use one of two self-made mouth rinses—of diluted hydrogen peroxide or of salty water. Tell your endodontist if you must avoid salt. 

The soreness will lessen after three days. Seven to 10 days later, the new connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels that form on the surface of the wound while it’s healing will safeguard the removal location until bone can grow there. 

You’ll see the endodontist two weeks later to have the stiches removed and the site inspected. If the extracted tooth was a wisdom tooth, however, the healing process could take several weeks. 

When you’re searching for an endodontic practice that’s dedicated to providing the highest standard of personalized care, look no further than the office of Linda Ricks, DDS, MS, PC. We offer an extensive menu of high-quality services for people of all ages. Our skilled team has your needs in mind. For more information about our many services, please contact us today.

By Linda Ricks, DDS, MS, PC

November 22, 2021

Life can be quite stressful, and many of us have a variety of coping mechanisms. One common tension reliever is damaging our oral health in the form of teeth grinding and/or clenching, whose medical name is bruxism. Some people grind and clench while they’re awake, some while they’re asleep, and others while both awake and asleep. The ramifications of bruxism include cracks, chips and stress fractures. Endodontists are dental specialists who treat all three of these conditions. 

At Linda Ricks, DDS, MS, PC, you can rest assured that our main mission is to provide you with the ultimate in endodontic care. Our offices are clean and hygienic, so you needn’t be concerned with contamination issues. We’re highly experienced at putting apprehensive patients at ease so they can relax and receive the care they need.

The symptoms of a cracked tooth vary. The most apparent are random intense pain while chewing and intense discomfort when the tooth is subjected to cold and hot beverages and food. And though the pain can be random, it’s crucial to get treatment immediately to keep it from degrading further. 

The majority of chipped teeth can be restored by reattaching the piece that broke off, by filling in the empty spot with tooth-colored bonding material or by placing a crown (cap) on the tooth. And as with a cracked tooth, it’s crucial to get treatment immediately. 

Some individuals believe that a cracked or chipped tooth can be treated by a hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic. To the contrary, it’s best to be seen by an endodontist right away. The same goes for anyone experiencing symptoms of a dental infection, such as bleeding and/or swelling. 

A tooth can also develop a crack through an injury or normal wear and tear. There’s no way to ensure that a tooth will never crack, but you can make the event less likely by not chewing on objects such as hard candy, ice, pens and unpopped kernels of popcorn. It also helps to wear a mouth guard at night and while playing sports. 

At the office of Linda Ricks, DDS, MS, PC, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate dental care. For more information on our endodontic services, please don’t hesitate to call us today.

By Linda Ricks, DDS, MS, PC

October 26, 2021