The Importance of Repairing or Replacing Cracked Teeth

The Importance of Repairing or Replacing Cracked Teeth

Chipped and Cracked Teeth in Crystal Lake and HuntleyOh no. You’re chewing on hard candy, and now your tooth feels a little sensitive, but it doesn’t hurt. Likewise, the sensitivity seems to come and go. Should you call the dentist or play the wait-and-see game? A cracked tooth can be a minor concern, or it can develop into a big problem without treatment. If the structure of the tooth is compromised, bacteria can find its way into the tooth, causing tooth decay or gum disease.

Doing nothing puts you at risk for more significant problems down the road, including losing the tooth entirely. Rolling the dice may not be a wise decision when there’s so much on the line.

Christopher R. Pottorff, DMD of Advanced Dental & Implant Care serving patients in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, offers these insights on treating cracked teeth. Additionally, he will ensure you understand your options and how important it is to seek treatment. And for your convenience, at Advanced Dental & Implant Care, all implant procedures are performed in one location.

Like most things in life, it’s prudent to start at the beginning. First, find out what you are dealing with and how severe it is. That means making an appointment with your dentist even if the pain isn’t constant. After all, you want to avoid an unbearable toothache and or tooth loss, if at all possible.

The good news is that there is a wide range of treatment options available to fix cracked teeth regardless of the severity of the damage.

Dental Crowns

If a cracked tooth results in more extensive damage to the enamel and dentin, then a dental crown might be your best option. Placement of dental crowns usually requires two office visits. The crown strengthens the damaged tooth, preventing further splitting. Also, the dental crown restores the appearance, feel, shape, and function, so the tooth looks, feels, and acts like your natural teeth.

Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement

In some cases, the damage from a cracked tooth is so severe that you may need a tooth extraction. Replacing missing teeth is vital to maintaining the integrity and function of surrounding teeth as well as protecting you from further tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss in your jaw.

A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement option where Dr. Pottorff, surgically places the artificial tooth in your jawbone. Over several months, the implant fuses with the bone. Dr. Christopher Pottorff performs the entire dental implant procedure at his office, Advanced Dental & Implant Care. Thus, providing you with the comfort and convenience of having your implant procedure done in one location by one doctor, Dr. Christopher Pottorff.

Contact Us Today!

Call us at Advanced Dental & Implant Care for a no-charge consultation, which includes a CT scan done in our office. We serve patients in the greater Algonquin area, including Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake, Illinois.

 

Bonding/White Fillings

Bonding/White Fillings

Bonding is a composite resin used as an alternative to amalgams and veneers. Tooth bonding is an excellent cosmetic treatment option for patients who do not want the look of silver in their mouths and do not want the expense of veneers. If your teeth are decayed, cracked, or stained, bonding could be the right treatment option for you!

Procedure

The bonding procedure usually requires only one dental appointment. The first step is to remove the decayed or unsightly portion of the tooth. Next, Dr. Pottorff etches the tooth with a liquid or gel. Then, a bonding agent is then applied to allow the placement of the composite resin in the prepared tooth. The resin is then trimmed and polished, leaving you with a beautifully sculpted, natural-looking restoration.

Bonding Durability

Although composite resins are cosmetically pleasing and easily placed, their durability is not as strong as other types of restorations. These resins typically last from 4-7 years before they begin to chip and wear away. When this happens, you will need to replace the tooth restoration. Contact our Algonquin dental practice if you are in the Crystal Lake or Huntley area and Dr. Pottorff will examine your tooth to determine if a replacement is necessary. 

 

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