Treating Tooth Pain in Diamond Bar CA

Vertical Root Fracture

A vertical root fracture is a crack that originates at the root of a tooth and extends vertically toward the gum line completely separating the tooth and the root pulp within. It is usually seen in teeth that have had previous root canal treatment or, in non-restored teeth, trauma or impact to the face and mouth. Teeth with vertical root fractures can sometimes develop pain, swelling, or other symptoms, or they may be completely asymptomatic, going undetected for some time. It is important to seek treatment for a vertical root fracture. If left untreated a root fracture can result in bone loss from around the tooth, pain, and decreased function. Treatment varies depending on the nature or location of the fracture. Dr.Doshi will discuss options with you that provide the best possible outcome.

Horizontal Root Fracture

A root fracture is defined by a tooth cracking beneath the gumline and across the root- completely separating the tooth and the root pulp within. This often occurs as the result of trauma or impact to the face and mouth. Depending on the location of the fracture along the tooth, it may become visually displaced and/or mobile, alerting you that it has been damaged. However, in some cases, the tooth may remain fixed in place with little or no mobility, and will require your doctor to take x-rays of the area to diagnose the extent of the injury. It is important to seek treatment for a fractured root immediately to increase the likelihood that your doctor can preserve the tooth. Treatment varies depending on the nature and location of the injury- Dr. Doshi will discuss options with you that provide the best possible outcome.

Fractured Tooth (Uncomplicated)

A tooth fracture is defined by a tooth breaking above the gumline and a portion of it completely separating. The severity of fracture depends on the depth of tooth structure exposed. This often occurs as the result of trauma or impact to the face and mouth. When a tooth has fractured deep enough to expose the inner dentin layer beneath the hard enamel, it can cause increased sensitivity and make the tooth more prone to decay if left untreated. It notably affects the appearance of your smile and can create sharp edges to the tooth that cause discomfort. As part of the diagnostic process, typically your doctor will take a series of xrays of the area to verify additional injury beyond what is visible has not occurred. It is important to seek treatment for a fractured tooth immediately so that Dr. Doshi can evaluate the area, rule out additional injury, and restore your damaged tooth to its optimal appearance and function.

Fractured Tooth (Complicated)

A tooth fracture is defined by a tooth breaking above the gumline and a portion of it completely separating. The severity of fracture depends on the depth of tooth structure exposed. This often occurs as the result of trauma or impact to the face and mouth. When a tooth has fractured deep enough to expose the inner pulp and nerve tissue, it creates complications that leave the tooth highly prone to infection and at a high risk of loss if not treated promptly. As part of the diagnostic process, typically your doctor will take a series of xrays of the area to verify additional injury beyond what is visible has not occurred. It is important to seek treatment for a fractured tooth immediately to provide the best likelihood that your doctor can preserve your tooth. Treatment varies depending on the location and severity of the fracture- Dr. Doshi will discuss options with you that provide the best likelihood of restoring your damaged tooth to its optimal appearance and function.

Avulsed Tooth

Avulsion occurs when a tooth is completely displaced from its socket or “knocked out”- this often occurs as the result of trauma or impact to the face and mouth. Normally your tooth is held within the socket by what is called the periodontal ligament. When a tooth is knocked out this connection is torn loose. Typically the empty socket will fill with coagulant as a natural response to the injury. Oftentimes your doctor will take a series of x-rays of the area while diagnosing the injury to verify additional damage beyond what is visible has not occurred. It is important to seek treatment for an avulsed tooth immediately to provide the best likelihood that Dr. Doshi can preserve your tooth. Your doctor will discuss options with you that provide the best possible outcome.

Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess is a pocket of pus that forms within the soft tissue between the tooth and gum due to a bacterial infection. This is typically associated with a tooth that has already developed a periodontal pocket and bone loss. If left untreated, the abscess can possibly spread to other areas, causing severe consequences to your overall health. The infection originates in the gum tissue next to the “neck” of the tooth and can be caused from trapped food, impaction of a foreign object, or in most cases, built up bacteria due to chronic periodontal disease. As the infection worsens, your body forms a sac around it to attempt to contain it, which creates pressure and painful sensations. Signs and symptoms that you have a periodontal abscess can include pain around the abscess, swelling of gum tissue, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth, leading to bad breath.

Call Dentistry by Dr. Doshi Phone Number 909-240-1784. An abscess will not heal on its own and if left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone and gum tissue. Periodontal abscesses are very serious, so it’s critical to work closely with Dr. Doshi to treat it early to minimize the potential for harm.

Endodontic Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the root of the tooth due to a bacterial infection. If left untreated, the abscess can possibly spread to other areas, causing severe consequences to your overall health. The infection usually originates from the inner pulp of the tooth, and can be caused by tooth decay and dental trauma. As the infection spreads, your body forms a sac around it to attempt to contain it, which creates pressure and painful sensations. Signs and symptoms that you have an abscess can include a consistent throbbing toothache, fever, swelling of the face, gums, or jaw, foul smelling breath, and pain when chewing. You may also experience a foul taste in your mouth if the abscess is draining pus. An abscess will not heal on its own and if left untreated, the infection can spread to the jaw bone and other parts of the head and neck. If allowed to expand, it can also weaken the jaw as it begins to resorb and replace bony tissue. Abscesses are very serious so it is critical to work closely with Dr. Doshi to treat it as early as possible to minimize the potential for harm.

Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth is defined by a tooth breaking above the gum line and a portion of the outer enamel layer completely separating. This often occurs as the result of trauma or impact to the face and mouth. Small fractures or “chips” involving only the tooth enamel are the least severe and pose the least risk of potential tooth loss. However, they often affect the appearance of your smile and can create sharp edges to the tooth that cause discomfort. As part of the diagnostic process, typically your doctor will take a series of xrays of the area to verify additional injury beyond what is visible has not occurred. It is important to seek treatment for a chipped tooth so that your doctor can evaluate the area, rule out additional injury, and restore your damaged tooth to its optimal appearance and function.

Cracked Tooth

Sometimes teeth can develop cracks. Cracks can come from trauma or large fillings that over time weaken the rest of the tooth. A cracked tooth may or may not be sensitive to hot and cold, or be painful when biting or chewing. If cracks in the teeth are not treated, serious consequences for your oral health can happen. Even small cracks can allow bacteria into the tooth, causing decay or infection and leading to further destruction. Cracks that progress too far can result in entire sections of the tooth breaking off, and in some cases, loss of the entire tooth.

Broken Large Filling

A dental composite resin is a synthetic material commonly used to esthetically repair cavities in front teeth or on visible parts of teeth. Composite is also known as a “white filling,” and is widely used because its color can be closely matched to existing teeth. However, over time the same process that caused you to need a filling can affect the restoration. For instance, more tooth decay and open spaces around the edges of the filling allow bacteria to seep in. In addition, trauma from an injury or biting on something hard can cause the filling, or the tooth, to crack. The larger the composite filling, the more likely you are to have a fracture or cracked tooth. Even small cracks can allow bacteria into the tooth, causing decay or infection, leading to further destruction.

Call Dentistry by Dr. Doshi Phone Number 909-240-1784. Cracked tooth may or may not be sensitive to hot and cold or be painful when biting or chewing. Regardless, once the restoration is compromised the tooth structure will be compromised and cracks that progress too far can result in entire sections of the tooth breaking off, and in some cases, loss of the tooth entirely. It is important to consult with Dr Doshi on the best course of action to repair a tooth cracked from a large composite filling.

Ill-Fitting Crown

Sometimes after a crown is placed on a tooth, complications can come about if there is not an exact fit between the crown and prepared tooth it was placed over. Symptoms of an ill-fitting crown include looseness or mobility, tooth pain or sensitivity, irregular wear to the opposing teeth, and eventually dark lines along the border of the crown due to decay. These dark lines are caused by plaque and bacteria accumulating at the border of the crown and being allowed to seep underneath it, causing the underlying tooth to deteriorate. If the ill-fitting crown is left untreated, it can result in worsening decay that can spread to the root and pulp of the tooth, requiring a root canal or potential loss of the tooth altogether. If you are concerned about possible complications with your crown placement, Dr Doshi is the best resource to identify the issue and provide options for returning it to optimal health, appearance, and function.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth (Third Molar)

Typically in the late teens to early twenties, the third set of molars, or wisdom teeth, begin to come in. While it is possible for them to emerge in alignment with the existing teeth, other times there can be complications. When there is not enough room in the rear of the mouth for the third molars to emerge, they can become what is called impacted, or stuck, at the area of emergence. There are two ways this is categorized- the first identifies how far the tooth has penetrated through the bone and gum tissue. The tooth can be fully impacted in bone, partially impacted in bone, or impacted in the gum tissue. The second method of categorization involves the angle at which the tooth is emerging. The range varies from being vertically aligned with the other teeth, to being entirely horizontal in orientation. They can also be angled towards the neighboring teeth or away from them. Impacted third molars can potentially lead to significant pain, infections, bite misalignment, and damage to the surrounding teeth. To prevent these conditions from occurring, impacted third molars should be extracted to ensure optimum oral health.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that causes damage to the gums and bone that can eventually jeopardize the health of your teeth. Healthy gums are typically pink in color. Some symptoms of periodontitis can include red, swollen gums, gums that recede from the teeth, loose teeth, and bad breath. In some cases, the infection may be deep below the surface and may appear to have few external symptoms. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to significant gum recession and bone loss, which can then cause tooth loss and serious health problems — including increased risk of heart disease. Periodontitis is a disease, but its effects can be stopped and reversed with proper treatment. Once Dr.Doshi has restored your mouth to a healthy state, further complications can be prevented with regular dental appointments and proper home care.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition of the gum tissue caused by the buildup of bacteria on the teeth. It is an early form of gum disease that has not progressed to the point of tissue or bone loss. When plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria within it begins to cause redness, irritation, and swelling of the gum tissue. Since gingivitis rarely causes pain, most patients do not even know when they have it. Additional symptoms can also include sensitivity and tenderness of the gum tissue, and slight bleeding when brushing, flossing, or probing during an examination. You may notice your toothbrush or floss having a slight pinkish tone to them after use. If left untreated Gingivitis will progress and further complications can arise. It is important to consult with Dr. Doshi on the best course of action to halt the disease progression.

Peri-Implantitis

Peri-implantitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of gum tissue and bone around a dental implant, resulting in the loss of the supporting bone around it. Oftentimes you may not be aware this is occurring, and it is important to seek treatment for the condition if it is detected. Symptoms of peri-implantitis can vary in type and severity. Some symptoms include redness, inflammation, and bleeding of the surrounding gum tissue, deepening of the periodontal pockets around the implant, exposure and visibility of the underlying implant threads, loosening of the implant itself, and pus discharging from the tissues around the implant. In cases of more severe infection, the lymph nodes on your neck may become swollen as well. The most common cause of peri-implantitis is tartar buildup at the implant site, which harbors toxin-emitting bacteria that cause irritation of the surrounding gum tissue, and ultimately results in tissue and bone loss. There are other possible causes that may apply depending on your situation. If left untreated, the infection and bone loss can progress to a point that the implant does not respond to treatment, and could lead to loss of the implant altogether. If addressed early enough, there are treatment options available to halt the progression of the disease and attempt to repair the damage. It is important to work closely with Dr. Doshi experienced in treating this condition to determine the best options with the highest likelihood of success.