Fractures are a typical occurrence in dentistry. Fractures or cracks affect people of all ages, however they are more common in people over the age of 25. They can be excruciatingly painful, difficult to identify, and treatable in some cases. Fractures come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as we'll see below.
An oblique supragingival fracture is the first type of crack. This fracture occurs above the gum line and is usually caused by biting down too hard on something. Normally, the nerve is not involved in this fracture. The discomfort will go, gone after the shattered part of the tooth breaks off. Although the exposed dentin may cause you pain, you can get it fixed at the dentist. If the fracture is severe, you may require a crown placed on the tooth to avoid subsequent fractures.
An oblique subgingival fracture is a second form of break that extends much below the gum line. When a portion of a cracked tooth breaks off, it usually stays connected to the gums and causes excruciating pain until it is extracted. The tooth will be identical to the supragingival fracture once the portion of tooth has been extracted from the gums. It usually has little effect on the nerves, though you may require a root canal to clean out the tooth before having a crown placed on it if the tooth area has been lost.
The severity of this fracture is determined by how far it has progressed beyond the gum line. You may not be able to salvage the tooth if it has penetrated deep into the gum line. Before you feel any discomfort, the crack may have been present for many years. To be safe, schedule frequent dental visits with your dentist, who can inspect your teeth for cracks and other issues.
The next type of root fracture is the oblique root fracture, which does not involve the tooth crown at all. This form of fracture nearly typically occurs beneath the gums, usually beneath the bone. If a root fracture is discovered near the crown of the tooth, it is almost always deadly. Even though the tooth is usually lost later due to an abscess of the bone that surrounds the fracture, a root canal can sometimes save it.
The final form of fracture is the most challenging to treat. Even if you've had the nerve removed with a root canal, vertical apical root fractures occur at the root's tip and can cause significant to excruciating pain. Vertical apical root fractures generate a great deal of pain in the tooth, even if the nerve isn't there.
Vertical apical fractures, on average, produce the most pain of any type of fracture. The fragments put pressure on the bone, causing the shattered parts to strain, resulting in discomfort. A root canal is probably the only option to receive relief from this type of fracture, since it will relieve the pain and remove the dead pulp from the fractured tooth.
Despite the fact that fractures are common and painful, you should never put off visiting the dentist. If you don't treat a fracture, it can become increasingly dangerous, which is why you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the issue and treat it before it becomes more serious.
You must be logged in to post a comment.