Even though the enamel layer on your teeth is incredibly hard, there are rare instances when an accidental blow to the face or a hard fall can impact a tooth so much that it cracks. This kind of dental emergency can vary in its severity. How deeply the crack penetrates the tooth will determine the treatment options your dentist, Dr. George R. Hussey, recommends.
If the cracked tooth causes a sharp or persistent pain or a deep ache in the surrounding gums, it likely means that the crack has also caused damage to the internal structures of the tooth. In an extreme case, Dr. George R. Hussey might recommend having the tooth extracted before restoring it with a dental implant.
Our George R. Hussey, DDS, FAGD team will examine the area and take a few X-rays. That way, we can determine if you have sufficient bone structure to mount a dental implant. If the extraction process resulted in the loss of bone structure in the jaw, then we might recommend receiving a bone graft in advance of the implant procedure.
The dental implant procedure involves an oral surgeon drilling a small channel into your jaw bone. Then, a titanium post is screwed into place. Titanium is the metal of choice because it is biologically inert and will eventually fuse to your jawbone.
In time, the titanium post will fuse to your natural jaw bone and Dr. George R. Hussey can go about the standard practice of installing a crown onto the titanium post.
If one of your teeth has been cracked, damaged or extracted, you should call Dr. George R. Hussey at 360.653.5197 to schedule an appointment and talk about dental implants in Arlington, Washington.