Category Archives: cracked teeth

Cavities of the day

September 2, 2016cavities-before/after, cracked teetharlington, cavities, cavity, composite restorations, decay, dentist, Dr Gentry, Dr. Philip Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, virginiaDoctorGentry

This 30 year old patient drinks lemon water all day long. She also grinds her teeth. The grinding causes her teeth to crack and the acid from the lemon juice erodes the tooth causing demineralization of enamel allowing tooth decay.

decaybefore — before-deep decay spreading between her teeth

fillingsafter — after-cleaning out the decay and restoring the teeth with ceramic composite restorations

happypatient2 — happy (and still numb) patient after

Next, his 23 year old patient had a crack in his back upper molar. The tooth had a 10 year old amalgam restoration in it. The crack allowed decay to spread deep under the old amalgam filling. The tooth was not sensitive and the patient was unaware that he had a cavity. I removed the old filling and cleaned up the decay, placed a fluoride base to protect the pulp and restored the tooth with a beautiful ceramic composite.

Cracked tooth of the day

January 16, 2016cracked teetharlington, cracked tooth, dentist, Dr Gentry, Dr. Philip Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, virginiaDoctorGentry

This patient had a root canal but never returned to have the crown placed. She bit down on a nut and fractured her molar. The tooth was cracked down the roots and non-restorable. I extracted the tooth. She was not planning on having an implant and she elected not to have a bone graft.

Friday afternoon chipped and broken teeth.

October 17, 2015chipped teeth-before/after, cracked teeth, dental bonding-before/afterarlington, caries, cavities, cavity, composite restorations, cracked tooth, crown, decay, dental, dentist, Dr Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, smile, tooth bonding, virginiaDoctorGentry

The next patient broke her upper first molar biting on a hard piece of food.

Thursday morning chipped tooth.

October 8, 2015chipped teeth-before/after, cracked teeth, dental bonding-before/afterarlington, cavities, cavity, composite restorations, cracked tooth, crown, dental, dentist, Dr Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, smile, tooth bonding, virginiaDoctorGentry

My first patient of the day today chipped his front tooth biting his finger nail.

Fractured teeth of the day. Every day I see broken teeth. Here are 2 examples from today.

October 6, 2015cracked teeth, crownsarlington, caries, cavities, cracked tooth, crown, decay, dental implant, dental implants, dentist, Dr Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, smile, tooth bonding, virginiaDoctorGentry

This patient cracked his molar biting a chicken bone. I was able to save the tooth, and without a root canal, but it did require a crown lengthening periodontal surgery and a crown.

unnamed-22 — Fractured distal lingual cusp.

unnamed-23 — Porcelain crown cemented over tooth.

This next patient bit down on a mint candy and fractured her molar down the root. The tooth could not be restored and was extracted and we will place a dental implant.

unnamed-2 — Fractured mesial lingual cusp.

unnamed-24 — Piece removed, fracture extends down root.

Fractured molar

August 30, 2015cracked teeth, crownsarlington, cavities, cavity, cracked tooth, crown, dentist, Dr Gentry, Dr. Philip Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, porcelain crowns, tooth bonding, virginiaDoctorGentry

This patient fractured the lingual side of his first molar tooth biting down on a Skittle candy. Dr. Gentry was able to restore the tooth with a porcelain crown and was able to avoid a root canal and crown lengthening periodontal surgery.

crn-1 — Tooth immediately following crown placement.

Cracked teeth/tooth fractures.

July 25, 2015chipped teeth-before/after, cracked teetharlington, cracked tooth, dentist, Dr Gentry, mouth guard, mouthguard, mouthguards, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, tooth bonding, virginiaDoctorGentry

If when you bite down, you feel a sharp pain you may have a cracked tooth. A tooth crack may have been caused by:

Chewing on a hard object or food such as ice, nuts, candy, or popcorn.
An accident, like a blow to the mouth.
Grinding or clenching your teeth.
Weak tooth caused by wear or large old fillings, or root canal.

If you feel pain when you bite down on a tooth please let Dr. Gentry know and he will evaluate the tooth and discuss the best treatment protocol for you. If treated early, the cracked tooth possibly can be treated with a bonded filling or a crown. If the crack is deeper the tooth may require a root canal or even extraction.

unnamed-6 — Cracked molar. Teeth weak due to large old fillings and tooth broke biting down on an almond.

unnamed-7 — Dr. Gentry was able to save the tooth with a large bonded composite restoration. A crown will be placed on top.

If the crack is deep or extends down the root, the tooth may need to be extracted.

unnamed-10 — Vertical root fracture. Dr. Gentry had to extract the tooth.

unnamed-11 — Crack extended under the gums along root. Dr. Gentry had to extract the molar.