How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

how to fix a cracked tooth - Lexington KY

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth 

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth At the Dentist’s

Our teeth are extremely tough, but sometimes they do break. Teeth can crack for several reasons, but most of the time, it is related to oral health. In this article, Dr. Jinyoung Kim, your dentist in Lexington, KY, shares how to fix a cracked tooth at the dentist’s office. 

Causes of a Cracked Tooth

Broken teeth do not always produce instant discomfort. If the break has reached the tooth’s nerve, you may have periodic discomfort when chewing, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Whether or whether you are in pain, all breaks should be evaluated by your Lexington dentist as soon as possible in order to check the health and stability of the tooth and give any necessary treatment to prevent further degeneration or issues.

The following are some of the most common causes of these breaks:

  • Eating hard foods
  • Facial trauma as a result of an accident
  • Sport-related injury
  • Weak tooth due to gum disease
  • Old, massive amalgam fillings

Treatment for Damaged & Fractured Teeth

Minor chips on the margins of teeth rarely cause discomfort or issues, but your dentist may recommend a repair that involves smoothing the edge and putting a tooth-colored filling. This will protect your lips and tongue from being cut by the rough edge.

Since these difficulties are likely caused by a cavity, heavily fractured and severely shattered teeth may necessitate a professional solution. A big hollow can cause fractures and breaks and, if left untreated, can become excruciatingly painful. Cavities in the teeth can also develop infections along the exposed gum line and pulp. In such circumstances, root canal therapy may be required. Cracks and breaks can also expose nerve endings, causing your teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold air and meals.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is not usually required for broken or chipped teeth. Cracks can be repaired and held together with a specialized tooth cement when there is no discomfort or infection. However, a damaged tooth will likely be treated with a dental crown. Crowns are also used to treat other forms of splits and fractures, such as fractured cusps, split roots or vertical breaks, split molars, and as a preventative measure against subsequent cracks. If your tooth has deteriorated from the inside out and is irreversibly fractured, your Lexington dentist may recommend a tooth extraction.

Prevent Tooth Fractures

A cracked or fractured tooth may not be visible or painful, but just because it isn’t giving you any problems doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Our friend Dr. Ryan Helgerson, an emergency dentist in Grand Junction, recommends visiting your dentist regularly. Infections can develop quickly, so it’s critical to get the right treatment as soon as possible. Regular check-ups and consultations with Dr. Kim can help prevent fractures and cracks from becoming problems. If it’s been a while since you last visit the dentist, contact Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY.

What To Do If You Fracture or Crack Your Teeth

If you’ve fractured or broken a tooth, take the following steps right away before making an appointment with your emergency dentist in Lexington, KY.

  • Rinse with warm water
  • Apply gauze to the wound
  • Use an icepack for swelling
  • Take over the counter medication if necessary
  • Search for an emergency dentist near me

If your tooth is shattered, avoid brushing it and schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim as soon as possible. Our Park Hills Family Dentistry team will advise you on the best way to repair the break, which may include one or a combination of fillings, crowns, and root canal treatments. Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry today!

What is Root Canal Therapy

root canal therapy Lexington ky

What is Root Canal Therapy? 

What is Root Canal Therapy? 

For many patients at our dental office in Lexington, KY, hearing “root canal” during a dental exam and consultation may seem a little scary. Don’t worry. Root canals have come a long way, and it’s actually one of the best ways to save an infected tooth. Below, Dr. Jin Young Kim answers common questions about root canal therapy.

Common Questions About Root Canal Therapy

Many people have initial concerns about root canal therapy. Our team is happy to answer any of your questions or concerns. If you’re feeling uneasy about treatment, we offer sedation dentistry options as well. Here are some of our patients’ most frequent questions:

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

It is important to extract the pulp found inside the inner part of the tooth when the inside of the tooth becomes infected. In the center of the tooth, infection and inflammation may occur due to decay spreading across the tooth, a crack or chip, or several dental procedures on that tooth. If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to extreme tooth pain, tooth abscess, and tooth loss. Our friends at Gentle Dental Group, a dental office in Bethlehem, GA, recommend seeing your dentist before the tooth decay progresses into something worse.

Does Root Canal Therapy Hurt?

Root canal therapy is no more painful than doing a regular filling. This therapy helps to alleviate the constant pain experienced when contaminated with the tooth. During the procedure, the local region would be numbed, allowing you a pain-free feeling while the work is done.

Should I Get a Tooth Extraction or a Root Canal?

Other dental problems may arise from an infected tooth, which is why prompt care is crucial. . But we urge patients whenever possible to preserve their natural teeth. With dental bridges and dental implants, though tooth replacement is available, nothing is as good as your natural tooth. Medication for the root canal helps you to retain the initial tooth and prevent tooth extraction. Additionally, relative to the extraction cost followed by an implant or bridge to replace the tooth, a root canal is easier.

Does a Root Canal Damage My Natural Tooth?

The removal of the inner portion of the tooth weakens the tooth’s overall structure. But with dental restorations, like an onlay or dental crown, it can be strengthened. A tooth extraction is an alterantive to root canal, but we will do everything we can to save your natural teeth. We will ensure that your natural tooth is strengthened by recommending the right restorative treatment post therapy. This is most commonly a dental crown.

What Can I Expect Post Root Canal?

You may not experience the same intense pain that was present before the root canal until the numbing wears off. They’ve replaced the inner nerves, offering you relaxation. Many individuals find that, although the underlying tissues are healing, you may be tender for a few days. Dr. Kim says that it may be good to consume soft foods and take over-the-counter pain medicine.

If you have more concerns about root canals or your oral health, please feel free to contact Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY. Our team of professionals will help eliminate the plan and restore your smile. 

Signs You Need a Tooth Extraction

tooth extraction Lexington kentucky

Signs You Need a Tooth Extraction

Signs You Need a Tooth Extraction

Are you experiencing dental problems or discomfort? Thinking that you may be in need of tooth extraction? Although a tooth extraction can seem scary, it may be the best option for your smile. When other dental treatments are ruled out, dental extraction is typically the best bet. Extraction is only done in rare situations, but it is a necessary procedure from time to time. So, how do you know if it’s time for a tooth extraction? Below, Dr. Kim, a dentist in Lexington, KY, shares five signs you need a tooth extraction.

Misplaced Teeth

One of the top indicators that you will need dental extraction is missing teeth. Teeth begin to shift, which causes overcrowding or impaction. The effect happens when your tooth is misplaced and has changed slightly, or has evolved in the wrong direction, and is now in a position it shouldn’t be. The location of the tooth may not be as it should be and maybe useless to you in its current position.

Overcrowding, on the other hand, is when your teeth are crowded in one place. There are so many teeth coming together during crowding, and there is not enough space for all of them to fit together correctly.

Although these two conditions can differ slightly, both problems can be solved with a simple tooth extraction. It’s best that you visit your dentist in Lexington, KY, for a tooth extraction consultation. 

Extensive Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is usually a result of poor oral hygiene, poor diet, and plaque build-up. Tooth decay is a major concern, and if left unchecked, it can progress into serious dental problems. For instance, you may experience damaged or cracked teeth and tooth loss. 

Fortunately, tooth decay is preventable. If you can detect tooth decay early, you may be able to reverse it. However, if you have severe tooth decay, your tooth may not be worth saving. Therefore, a tooth extraction might be the only option. Be sure to consult with a Lexington, KY dentist to find out what the best course of action is for you.

Tooth Infection

When tooth decay progresses due to lack of treatment, it is likely that an infection will form. Once a tooth infection has reached the pulp of the tooth, it can cause significant damage to the teeth and gums. Unfortunately, the infection will not go away on its own and can even spread throughout the body. Infections are dangerous and must not be overlooked. 

It is necessary to speak to an emergency dentist in Lexington, KY, as soon as the tooth decay or infection starts. Although the infection can lead to an extraction, the risk of infection can often involve an extraction as well as a preventive measure. 

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is another common cause of why a tooth will need to be removed. The disease is an infection that may affect the gums, teeth, and other underlying tissues and structures. Serious periodontal disease can lead to damage to the alveolar bone and periodontal ligaments. It may also contribute to an increase in the rate of tooth decay.

Periodontal disease is reversible if caught in its early stages. So, there may not be a need for tooth extraction. Your dentist may recommend root scaling, dental sealants, cavities, dental crowns, and other treatments to stop your periodontal disease from progressing. Dr. Ben Kacos, an emergency dentist in Shreveport, LA, agrees that a tooth extraction can help prevent further harm from happening and is, in many cases, the only solution available.

Tooth Pain or Tooth Loss

Apart from damage associated with tooth decay, gum disease, and positioning problems, there are other causes of tooth pain or tooth loss. Any harm that has occurred as a result of a car accident or other serious injury will also need a special remedy. Although solutions can differ greatly, serious damage may often lead to the need for a tooth to be fully removed. If you have very serious tooth pain or trauma, you may need a tooth extraction and dental implant.

Visit Your Emergency Dentist in Lexington, KY

Now that you have a brief understanding of the signs of a tooth extraction, you can decide if you need to see a professional about your dental problems. You can always visit our dental office in Lexington, KY, for a consultation. We will see you for a full-mouth evaluation and recommend the best treatment for your needs. In need of quality dental care? Please contact Park Hills Family Dentistry today.