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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

I think my tooth is cracked

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Two weeks ago I mistakenly bit down on something hard that should not have been in the food I was eating. I was sure that my tooth was broken. My tongue was bleeding on that side of my mouth. I went to the dentist the next day. She took x-rays and said that everything looked fine. I took ibuprofen for several days and it felt a little better. This week my tooth started throbbing. I really think it is cracked. Should I go back to the dentist? – Rob

Rob – At times, when I tooth is first traumatized, the damage doesn’t immediately show up on an x-ray. You should make an appointment with your dentist to have your tooth examined again.

If you are getting an infection in the tooth, it will require a root canal treatment and a porcelain crown to prevent it from breaking. The nerve in the tooth will eventually die, blood will no longer flow to the tooth, and it will become weak. The crown protects the tooth.

If the root of the tooth is fractured, the tooth cannot be saved. It will need to be replaced with a dental implant or a dental bridge.

See your dentist to get an accurate diagnosis and to find out your treatment options.

This post is courtesy of Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Can chipped teeth on my dental bridge be fixed?

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I had a bad accident 5 months ago and 2 of the teeth in my upper bridge got chipped. The teeth haven’t been priority because I had more serious injuries but now I am wondering if the bridge can be fixed. Thanks T.J.

T.J.

It is good to know that you are recovering from your accident. An expert cosmetic will be able to repair your porcelain bridge. The special techniques required are the same as those used to repair porcelain crowns.

Not only are special techniques required, but specialized materials and equipment are needed to professionally restore the bridge.

The chipped porcelain needs to be cleaned, rinsed, and etched. If the bridge has a metal foundation, the metal must also be etched. Care must be taken to only etch the part of the bridge that needs repair. A saline coupling agent is used to prime the porcelain, after which it is coated with bonding resin. Any exposed metal in the bridge will be treated with a metal bonding agent and an opaquer. Quality composite bonding resins will be used to match the color and translucency of the original porcelain. The composite then be polished.

Be aware that smoking, drinking, and excessive alcohol drinking can wear on the bonding or stain it, affecting how long the repair lasts.

This blog post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Should you floss under a dental bridge

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Hi,

I had a dental bridge placed just over a year ago to replace some teeth that had to be extracted due to significant gum disease. Now, I am experiencing swollen gums and bleeding around the bridge. Should I be flossing between the bridge and the gum? I thought that since the bridge was designed (and does) fit snugly against the gum, it should prevent food from getting trapped underneath. But I am noticing some bleeding of my gums under the bridge when I brush.

Thanks,

Alonse in Boston

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