May 2017 - Colorado Springs Dentist

Will I need a dental implant to replace my cracked tooth? I was cracking pecan shells with my teeth and one of my teeth cracked. I was going to find a dentist in a few weeks to get a new filling in it. The cracked piece broke off. I saved it. Can I avoid for a few weeks? Can the tooth be saved or will I need an implant? We were heading to the New Mexico to visit my family and I don’t want to get involved in a long dental procedure. This is a trip that I don’t be able to reschedule until next year. Thanks. Zidora

Zidora – Your comment about finding a dentist sounds as if you don’t have a dentist whom you regularly see. If that’s that case, find an emergency dentist who can see you today or tomorrow. Don’t travel to New Mexico without knowing the condition of your tooth.

Without examining your tooth, we can’t tell you if you will need a dental implant. But it is likely that you will experience a lot of pain during your vacation if you don’t get help right away.

The dentist will examine your tooth, take x-rays, and do whatever is necessary to the tooth to help you get through your vacation without a lot of pain. He or she will let you know if the tooth can be saved and protected with a dental crown, or if a bridge or dental implant is recommended. A dental implant will only be necessary if the tooth cannot be saved. But you wouldn’t need to get an implant right away.

Regardless of the permanent treatment recommended, get a second opinion. Another dentist might have a different perspective on the best way to preserve your tooth. If you need a dental implant, keep in mind that they require skillful planning, careful surgery, and proper after care to succeed. Ensure the dentist you choose has significant experience in implant placement. Don’t compromise on a dentist’s experience.

Compare your dental visits, learn about each dentist’s credentials and experience, and decide which dentist you want to permanently restore your tooth.

This post is sponsored by Colorado Springs dentist Dr. Joseph Rota.

I think my TMJ pain started with my dental appointment, but my dentist won’t admit it. I had some extensive work done on my teeth over 3 days. Each dental appointment was 3 hours long. My dentist was smart enough to break up the work. But if you can imagine my mouth was open for the just about the whole time for all 3 appointments. So for 9 hours basically I had my mouth open even though I did get a break for the day in between. I’ve been taking ibuprofen because my jaw pain won’t go away. I know it’s not good to stay on ibuprofen but I’, not sure what to do. My dentist says it should decrease in a few days, but I’m concerned because the pain is no better. I would say that it is just slightly worse. Am I going to have to see a TMJ specialist? Darius

Darius – Given the amount of dental work you described, your symptoms sound common. Prolonged periods of having your mouth open can cause jaw pain and TMJ-like symptoms. A TMJ specialist will likely tell you the same thing.

Is this the first time you’ve ever experienced jaw pain? If you had pre-existing TMJ symptoms (jaw, ear, neck, or head pain), they would worsen after several, long dental procedures. While you give it some time to see if your symptoms will improve, there are some things you can do at home:

Rest your jaw.
Avoid chewing gum and sticky or chewy foods.
Alternate heat and cold packs on the sides of your face where it hurts most.
Take over-the-counter pain reliever only as directed on the packing or as directed by your dentist.

If the problem persists or worsens, schedule an appointment with your dentist. If necessary, you will be referred to a TMJ specialist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment. If your discomfort persists, and you don’t receive a referral from your dentist, you can schedule your own appointment with another dentist who has extensive TMJ training.

This post is sponsored by Colorado Springs dentist Dr. Joseph Rota.

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