Is My Tooth Cracked Beneath a Dental Bridge?

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After my routine hygiene and dental exam last week, my dentist said I needed a new upper left bridge. She said an anchor tooth in the bridge was cracked. I don’t have problems with the bridge, nor have I felt any discomfort. Should I deny a new bridge if I don’t have symptoms? Thank you. Portia

 

Portia,

Your dentist’s diagnosis should accompany an X-ray showing your tooth is cracked. Generally, you would feel sharp pain when biting hard food if a tooth is cracked. Also, it is unusual for a crowned tooth to crack. A crown protects a weak tooth and prevents it from cracking.

We recommend getting a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist without mentioning your dentist’s diagnosis. Ask for an exam and X-ray, but provide as little information as possible. Avoid telling the dentist that you or your dentist think your tooth beneath the bridge is cracked. You might ask if the dentist seeks anything questionable about your upper left teeth.

A dental bridge hovering above dental implants and abutments

Dental implants can anchor a bridge and replace multiple missing teeth in a row

Your situation underscores the advantage of replacing a tooth with a dental implant. If anything goes wrong with a tooth that is a part of a dental bridge, a dentist usually replaces the entire bridge. However, a dental implant stands alone and is not affected if you need dental work on an adjacent tooth.

If your tooth beneath the bridge cracks, a dentist must remove the tooth and extend the bridge to cover the space left after the extraction. Consider getting a dental implant or an implant bridge as an alternative to traditional bridgework to replace missing teeth.

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Tooth Cracked Below the Gumline? How to Know If You Need a Second Opinion

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Trauma or injury to a tooth can lead to an extraction—or not. But don’t let anxiety about the appointment overwhelm you. Your dentist likely offers sedation to help you have a relaxing, painless experience. If not, find a dentist who offers it.

A recommendation to extract—or save—your tooth, can depend on the extent of the damage and a dentist’s skill and experience. How do you know whether to agree to extraction or get a second opinion?

Save or Extract?

Save

If the crack in a tooth extends into the pulp, your dentist can save it with root canal treatment.

Extract

If a vertical crack extends below the gumline, your dentist will likely need to extract it.

 

Why Is Extraction Needed?

  • A deep vertical crack below the gumline is likely to spread in the space between the tooth roots.
  • Eventually, the tooth will split.
  • Performing a root canal is often useless.

Consult with a specialist (endodontist) if your dentist is recommending root canal treatment.

Is Doing Nothing an Option If It Doesn’t Hurt?

Photo of woman sitting back in a dental chair with her eyes closed; for information on Baton Rouge sedation dentistry during tooth extraction.

Sedation dentistry helps you relax during procedures

You might think that if you don’t feel pain—or if you’re managing the pain with ibuprofen—nothing needs to be done to the tooth. Why do you need to take action?

  • Extensive damage to the tooth allows bacteria inside.
  • Bacteria spreads and creates an infection that, if left untreated, will affect the gum tissue and jawbone.
  • Eventually, the infection will spread to other parts of your body with the potential of becoming life-threatening.
  • Before you receive any treatment, you can receive sedation dentistry to help you relax.

In fact, your dentist will likely offer sedation. Your dentist or specialist will numb the area around your tooth to prevent you from feeling the injection. The extraction will be painless.

What About Your Smile?

Depending on the location of the missing tooth, it will detract from your smile. You can receive a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. It’s the most effective and natural-looking way to replace a missing tooth.

Before your dentist places an implant in your jawbone, you can receive nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation for a relaxing, pain-free experience. You’ll wear a temporary dental crown during a three-to-four-month healing period. Afterward, your dentist will attach a permanent crown to the implant. Your crown will match your surrounding teeth.

Regardless of what dental treatment you need, sedation will help you receive it and protect your oral health. If your tooth has cracked or split, call your dentist right away.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Dentistry by Brooksher in Baton Rouge, LA sponsors this post.