I'm on a personal mission to get rid of the stigma that still surrounds cosmetic surgery in many regions. Why am I on this mission? A small surgery changed my life, and I have never regretted it. I was a very shy child with little confidence due to my protruding ears. It sounds like such a small problem to many people, but it affected me and my self esteem greatly. I saved up in high school while working a part-time job, and as soon as I could afford it, I got my parents to agree to let me have my ears "pinned back" when I was 16. My confidence skyrocketed immediately, and I finally began enjoying life for the first time. I want to help others facing similar problems know that they are not alone, and I hope I can touch many lives with my new blog!
If you have a cracked tooth, you may be wondering whether a dental implant procedure is a good option for you. This depends on the severity of your cracked tooth and the damage that initially caused the crack. While implants are an excellent solution for many types of tooth damage, but there are a few things you should consider before deciding to get one.
What Caused the Crack in the Tooth?
There are a few things that can cause a tooth crack. If the crack was caused by sudden trauma, such as a car accident, then it's possible the tooth itself can still be restored. The damage will have been limited to the crack itself, so the dentist can take a look to figure out how much of the tooth is going to be lost. If the crack was caused by existing decay or because the tooth had already been filled in the past, then it's much more likely that there isn't going to be enough of the tooth to restore.
How Significant is the Crack?
A crack that goes all the way down the length of the tooth is more likely to require significant repair or extraction. A crack that is small or runs diagonal around the tooth may just need to be filled and repaired. You may require an x-ray to determine whether the crack can be fixed, but if the crack can be fixed, it's usually the best option. Extraction should only be done if it's the only solution.
Is the Tooth Otherwise Healthy?
A tooth is more than just the visible portion. In fact, there's more tooth underneath your gum line than there is above it. If your tooth still has strong, healthy roots, your dentist is more likely to suggest trying to save it with a crown. This is true even if there's a lot of damage to the tooth itself: there just needs to be enough of the tooth available for a crown to fit on. On the other hand, if the tooth already had a crown and experienced a crack, it's likely that an extraction is a better idea.
If your tooth has to be pulled, then a dental implant is almost always the best choice. A dental implant is screwed into position and, in nearly every respect, acts just like your old tooth did. Other solutions, such as bridges, can damage your surrounding teeth over time.
Share8 January 2019
