A Crown Restores The Enamel Of A Fractured Tooth

A crack or fracture can severely compromise the enamel of a tooth. If the tooth is not restored in a timely manner it can cause pain, tooth decay or even a dangerous infection in the root of the tooth. To restore severely compromised enamel, your dentist will often recommend the tooth be fitted for a crown.

A crown is made from artificial materials such as gold, base metals and porcelain. The appropriate material for your crown will be affected by its primary function in your mouth and relationship to your smile. 

At the initial appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth and take a few x-rays to assess the health of the tooth and make sure there is no damage or decay present in the root of the tooth. If the pulp or root of the tooth has been compromised the dentist might need to perform a root canal.

Read full story at  www.pineridgedental.com

Photo credit:  www.mcclintockfamilydental.com 

There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching

If a pain you’ve been feeling goes away, you might believe the problem that caused it is gone too. But that doesn’t mean it has, especially with a tooth. An excruciating toothache that suddenly stops should still be examined. Here’s why.

 Tooth decay often works its way into a tooth’s innermost layer, the pulp, which contains bundles of nerves and other tissue. The infection attacks the nerves, which send pain signals to the brain. As the infection persists, though, the nerves will eventually die and will no longer be capable of sending pain signals — hence the “mysterious” end of your toothache.

Although the pain has stopped, the infection is very much active in the tooth and will continue to work its way through the root canals to the jaw. And ultimately, the pain will return as the infection invades the bone.

But there’s good news: a tooth in this condition can be saved with a procedure known as root canal therapy. We drill a small hole in the tooth to access the pulp, usually through the biting surface of back teeth or in the rear in front teeth. Once inside the pulp chamber, we clean out the infected and dead tissue. We then fill the empty pulp chamber and the root canals with a special filling and seal the access hole. In a few weeks the tooth receives a life-like crown to further protect it from re-infection and fracture years later.

Read full story at  http://www.harbormesadental.com

Photo credit:  http://www.harbormesadental.com