A healthy and good looking smile means a lot to everyone however, there are times when you may face an issue. A common problem that can occur with your teeth is Cracked Tooth Syndrome. Some people delay treatment for such issue but, that is only going to make matters worse. Some people avoid treatment out of fear but dentistry has developed tremendously with technology in recent times and is a lot easier and painless compared to the past. If you think you may have cracked tooth syndrome hear is how it can be diagnosed.
The Cracked Tooth Syndrome diagnosis
With the CTS diagnosis the particular tooth is first examined by an explorer which is an instrument that feels for tiny cracks in the tooth. Gums are inspected for abnormalities. Among the various instruments is a toothbrush like object that you bite down upon. Pain most likely indicates the presence of a crack.
Diagnosis can be quite a challenge even though all you suffer from is tooth pain. That pain could arise from several different conditions like headaches and ear pain, atypical orofacial pain too. Toothaches could be caused by sinsusitis or temperomandibular joint disorders. The teeth most affected by CTS are the mandibular molars and maxillary premolars, so the dentists know where to look.
Very often the tiny crack in the tooth is quite invisible and escapes detection. Even an x-ray may not help but the pain is the indicator. Yet dentists have their methods of analysis, using a microscope, even administering dyes and bite tests to locate the crack. Fiber optic lights are used too.
Various terms represent Cracked Tooth Syndrome like the following:
- Fractured cusp
- Split tooth
- Vertical Root fracture
- Craze lines
Is it possible to prevent CTS? Avoid biting very hard objects like ice, do not clench or grind teeth and wear a mouth guard at night or faceguard while playing contact sports. An endodonist could diagnose such cracked tooth conditions if suspected.
Treating CTS
A crown is commonly used, bonding or root canal therapy to treat CTS. Yet the treatment carries no guarantee and pain may continue periodically. You are lucky if a crown or RCT solves the problem permanently. In severe cases the tooth may need to be extracted.
Some common symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome are as follows:
- Sharp pain: The biting position for the teeth needs to be normal or pain arises during the biting process.
- Pain while chewing: Eating or drinking hot or cold stuff could give rise to irregular pain.
- Pulp infection: Under the white tooth enamel is the hard dentin layer and further inside the pulp contains blood vessels and nerves. The pulp infection may spread to the adjacent gum and bone.
If you are feeling any of these symptoms it is best that you have you dentist take a look into this.