How to Know if Your Dental Work Needs Replacement
It’s a simple fact of life that things breaks down, and dental work is no different. Despite our best efforts and utmost care, occasionally something may happen to our dental work.
At Dr. Cureton’s practice, we want you to be well-informed about your oral health. Let’s dive into what you need to know.
General Guidelines
- Pain in the tooth indicates something may need to be fixed.
- Sensitivity to heat and cold could mean the nerve is exposed.
- Damage may not always be apparent and may not always have associated pain.
Crowns
Crowns are wonderful, they keep our teeth safe and protected. A fortress for the natural tooth, we want them to be impenetrable. If a crown becomes fractured, the fortress is breached. We certainly don’t want that!
Sensitivity to heat and cold will indicate a crack in the crown. If your crown is chipped, you may notice a jagged edge. This can cause problems with your bite as well. A chipped crown can irritate the lip or cheek, even causing bleeding to occur.
It is also possible for the crown to become dislodged, which will also increase sensitivity. If you want to prevent these problems before that terrible sensitivity pain returns, check frequently for cracks. Consume hard or sticky foods in moderation.
At Dr. Cureton’s office, we pride ourselves in our work. We create our crowns to last, so that you can trust your bite for years to come!
Veneers
If you’ve received veneers, chances are you’re showing off that great smile all the time. First and foremost, you want to check for cracks in your veneer. If you’re a nighttime tooth grinder, we suggest wearing a protective mouthpiece while you sleep.
Like crowns, veneers are susceptible to hard foods. It’s best to avoid them when possible. These are some usual culprits of cracking teeth, veneers, and crowns:
- Hard candy
- Pistachio shells
- Ice
- Olive pits
- Bones
Failed Root Canal Therapy
A failed root canal may cause pain or abscesses. In other instances, patients may not notice any side effects at all. The best way to know if your root canal-treated tooth is infected is to have x-rays taken annually.
If there’s an infection, it may start affecting the bone tissue around that tooth. “Around 9 out of 10 root-treated teeth survive for 8 to 10 years” (NHS) We want to prevent that from happening, so be sure to visit your dentist regularly.
Fillings
“The average American has three dental fillings, while 25 percent of the population has 11 or more fillings.” Most of us will have to deal with a filling that’s fallen out. This is a relatively common occurrence, and easily fixable, so don’t fret. Here are some ways to know if you’ve lost a filling:
- If you feel a hole or bump in your tooth with your tongue, your filling has fallen out and will need a replacement.
- You suddenly feel a small hard object while eating.
- You recently bit down hard on your filling.
Next Steps
If you’re experiencing any of the above, we’d love to help you find a treatment plan that works for you. Schedule an appointment today by calling (831) 449-8363, and one of our lovely staff members will assist you. We’ll set you up with a great treatment plan that you deserve!