Cracked Teeth? Tips from a Chicagoland Dentist

A very common and often difficult problem for patients is having cracked teeth. Teeth crash for a wide variety of reasons; the most common reasons are having back teeth with moderate to large silver fillings. Patients with parafunctional habits such as grinding or clenching teeth and having cracked teeth that were never fixed. teeth that have had root canals are also good candidates for cracking.

Many teeth have surface cracks which are not a problem; once a crack begins to discolor, we become suspicious of the crack as it progresses into the teeth. In a tooth that has a vital nerve, cracks can actually cause chronic inflammation and eventual irreversible nerve damage. Sometimes, this process is symptomless until the nerve damage is irreversible. We monitor any cracks that are visible every time you come in for exams. Unfortunately, often very since cracks exist which are undetectable at the beginning. Cracked teeth are one of the most unpredictable and difficult scenarios for doctor and patient. Diagnosis is sometimes a product of process of elimination.

Teeth with moderate to large silver fillings eventually will crack! Most of the time, the fillings to not brake but rather the enamel of the tooth does. Usually, these cracks will progress until a corner of the tooth breaks. These breaks will be to the deepest part of the filling and beyond. It is very common to remove an old silver filling and find a significant crack underneath the filling very close to the nerve chamber. Many of these cracks are symptomless but often a patient will begin to have symptoms and hypersensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets, discomfort while chewing or biting, and eventually escalating pain as the nerve becomes damaged. We try and stop this progression by removing the old filling, following and removing the crack and placing a protective lining in the deepest area. This is usually followed by a dental crown. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of teeth with moderate to deep cracks will eventually require root canal therapy in spite of our efforts to stop them. Therefore, the sooner we identify and treat active cracks, the lower the possibility of root canal therapy.

Worse case scenario with cracked teeth are cracks in the root system. It is one of the most common reasons for failure of root canals and usually results in extraction of the tooth. We have a variety of options to help reduce the risk of cracked teeth, which we will discuss with you if we find cracks in any teeth.

If you have any cracked teeth, come into our Park Ridge dental office. As a Chicagoland dentist, Dr. Rubino has seen it all, you can have confidence in his ability to treat your dental concerns, including cracked teeth.

What to Know About Cavities and Fillings

As a dentist near Chicagoland, I do see my fair share of patients come through my Park Ridge dental practice door with a cavity or two. It's not at all uncommon for people to have cavities, it doesn't make it okay, but it is common.

Dental cavities have been around since people have been around; the treatment of them has been been around for centuries at least, however, it was in the wonderful year of 1875 when the organization of the treatment came about. Dr. G. Black created a plan for how to successfully treat the cavities that his patients were regularly suffering from. Dr. Black created the idea of using a filling to treat the cavity as well as removing any decaying part of the tooth. His concepts were so good that they fostered the modern treatment of dental cavities. 

The treatment is comprised of two simple parts: remove the decayed part of the tooth and then fill that with some sort of filling material; today, we use silver (amalgam). For the procedure, the dentist will often give the patient a local anesthetic like Xylocaine or Novocain; if the patient does not want this, then they can get "laughing gas". Once that has taken effect, the dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth with a high-speed drill; do not worry, since you have the anesthetic, you do not feel any pain.

Once the tooth has been drilled, the dentist will often use some sort of liner to help reduce any tooth sensitivity. Many dentists will use a liner that is comprised of gluma, copalite varnish, and then some dycal. This liner will help the dentin regenerate in your tooth and help heal it. If you have a deep cavity, then the dentist will likely use a bass as well as the liner. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I have used these both before.

Once the tooth is ready for the filling, the dentist, along with the patient, can choose a filling; most common one is amalgam, resin, silver, or even gold. This last layer will help rebuild the tooth to its original integrity and strength.

It is entirely common for your tooth to be a bit sensitive for a day or two; if you experience discomfort for an extended period of time after your filling, then contact a dentist immediately. If you are in Chicagoland, contact Rubino Dentistry and we can take care of it. It is possible that you can have an infected pulp, which is remedied by root canal therapy.

Here are 5 Things You'll Want to Know About Teeth

Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body; they help you speak, eat, and have a good looking smile. We know we are supposed to take care of them and even people who are not dentists still know how to take good care of teeth. However, there are still things that many people do not know about their teeth.

We have compiled a list of 5 different things that you will want to know about teeth.

1. The sour stuff can be bad for your teeth, just like the sweet stuff. Almost everyone knows that sugar can be bad for your teeth; the more sugar you eat, the more likely you are to have cavities. However, sugar is not the only bad guy for your teeth; acidic foods can be just as bad for your teeth as sugar is. Foods (citric fruits, sour candy), and drinks (soda, juices, etc) can have acids that do work on your teeth. Citric acid is one of the worst acids for your pearly whites. What does acid do? It weakens the enamel on your teeth. 
2. Enamel is strong but it has its limits. Things like chewing ice, holding a pencil with your teeth, oral piercings, these are all things that can crack the enamel that protects your teeth. Also, be careful when eating popcorn to avoid chomping down on a popcorn kernel. Piercings on your tongue can be bad for your teeth as well; whenever you say something, it can collide with your teeth. 
3. Tooth loss happens at any age. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I can assure you that tooth loss can happen when you are 75, 45, even 25; it does not matter how old you are, if you do not take care of your teeth, they can come out. Gum disease and cavities are two big reasons for tooth loss and these things can happen at any age. 
4. Too much fluoride can have a negative effect. We have all been taught that having fluoride is good for our teeth; this is why the American Dental Association always wanted communities to have fluoridated water supplies. However, that is not the issue; the issue arises from ingesting too much fluoride from sources like toothpaste. This typically happens with children, when they swallow excessive amounts of toothpaste, the issue of too much fluoride can happen. Too much of the stuff can make teeth porous. Everything in moderation. 
5. Braces can be rough for cavities. If you are not good at cleaning with your braces, then cavities can form around the braces since teeth become more difficult to brush. 

If you are looking for a dentist in Chicagoland, then make an appointment with Rubino. 

Children's Dentistry 101

Caring for your child's teeth is not an option, it is a must. This means having foods and drinks that are not loaded with sugar or acid as well as developing a strong oral hygiene habit.

Flouride is a big help to developing teeth into strong bodies and gives them the ability to ward off cavities and dental decay. Reports have shown that fluoride helps children have 65 percent fewer cavities than those who have no access to fluoride; this means that children should be drinking water infused with fluoride as well as use toothpaste that contains it as well. Many of the children who drink fluoridated water have healthy teeth, even into their teen years.

If your area does not have fluoridated water, then you can purchase some fluoride tablets, gels, drops, and treatments.

Aside from fluoride, we have mentioned that having a proper diet is a big help to the children. Children should have calcium in their diet, not only for strong bones but strong teeth as well. Having milk, cheese, yogurt, and all things dairy is a great source. Having broccoli helps too. If you have cheese after eating a meal, it helps negate the acid in the foods or drinks that can lead to dental decay.

A proper dental hygiene routine is essential to having healthy teeth as well. Ensuring that your children have proper brushing, flossing, and even using a mouthwash are important to having healthy teeth and gums.

If you are in the Chicagoland area and looking for a dentist in Chicagoland, then contact Rubino Dentistry for your dental needs as well as your child's.

Restorative Dentistry -- Veneers

So what are dental veneers?

Well, in short, they are shells made from very thin ceramic/ porcelain or perhaps a composite material and then they are bonded to the front of your teeth. This is a great choice for improving the look of your teeth to give you the smile you always dreamed of. The procedure requires little to no anesthesia and the procedure is easy-going.

Why should you get veneers over other options?

A veneer is a great option versus something like a crown (however, if you need a crown to replace missing strength in tooth, then a crown is truly needed). A veneer is a more conservative solution to giving a tooth or teeth a new look in terms of color, shape, or the size. If you have any discolored teeth, a gap in teeth, or chipped teeth, then veneers are a great solution for those problems.

Veneers last for a long time, unless there is an unforeseen issue such as something knocking the veneer; however, they are designed to be a long lasting solution to aesthetic dental issues and have proven to be that way.

What is the procedure like?

To complete the procedure, there will likely be three separate appointments; the first for diagnosing, the second for planning the treatments, and the third for actually doing the treatment.

In order to get the teeth ready for the bonding, they are gently buffed so there will be a slightly added thickness to the veneer. If you go with composite, once the tooth is ready to go, the dentist will bond and mold the material to your teeth. If you go with porcelain, then there will be a mold made of your teeth, which is sent to a lab, and that will shape the new veneer. Once that is ready, it is applied to the tooth. The veneers are bonded to the tooth with a cement, which is then hardened between the tooth and the veneer.

You will take some time to adjust to you new teeth. Brush and floss daily, just like you would with your real teeth. After a week or two, you will have a follow-up with your dentist. Dr. Rubino, here at our Park Ridge dental office will see how things are going with you and your new teeth.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Rubino Denistry. We are a Chicagoland dentist office and have lots of experience in veneers.

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

If you are considering getting a dental crown because your dentist mentioned it or you are already sure that this is something you want, well, it's important to know all you can about them. If you are indeed considering this procedure, do not worry, this is a common deal. It will only improve your oral integrity and health.

So what is a dental crown? A dental crown is a piece that a dentist will use to cover a tooth that has been broken, cracked, or part of your tooth is missing. The crown will cover the damaged tooth so your tooth is restored back to its original shape, size, strength, and appearance. Once the crown is placed (they are cemented into place), the crown will completely cover the structure of the tooth and improve the tooth.

How do you know when you should get a crown? As we mentioned, you should get a crown when your tooth is cracked, broken, or is missing part of the tooth and the remaining tooth cannot support a filling. You can also get a crown if your tooth is decayed. If you have a cracked tooth, you can have the tooth saved if it is treated and crowned ASAP. After the crown is cemented into place, it is permanently in place and made stationary as it covers the tooth.

If you are in the Chicago area and are looking for a dentist who does crowns and bridges, the contact Rubino Dentistry. We are a Chicagoland dental office located here in Park Ridge. As a Park Ridge dentist, Dr. Rubino and Dr. Wnek have great experience with crowns and bridges.

Teeth Whitening FAQs

Having white teeth is a dream for many people who struggle to get them; sometimes, brushing, flossing, and mouthwashes do not make the teeth white, or at least as white as we'd like. So what can you do? Teeth whitening solutions either from your dentist or from a kit.

Here are some FAQs of teeth whitening. 

• Does teeth whitening harm enamel? Teeth whitening does not cause any permanent damage to enamel. 
• Does it cause permanent sensitivity? Having sensitive teeth from whitening is indeed a side-effect but if it does happen, it will go away within a few days of the whitening, often a day or two. You will return to your state of sensitivity you had before getting the whitening. 
• Am I able to whiten my teeth? For the most part, anyone can whiten their teeth; however, you will want to have your dentist give you the green light because everyone is different. You might not be a candidate or may require less whitening treatments than others. 
• How long do the effects last? If you get your teeth whitened by your dentist, then the effects will often last between six months and a couple years. If you do it yourself with an at-home kit, the results last much shorter. 
• How much does it cost? This depends on where you go. If you do an at-home kit, then you will likely spend around $20 but if you do professional, it can cost as much at $1000, sometimes as low as $300-$600. 
• Does it affect dental work like crowns, fillings, or vaneers? Getting your teeth whitened will not affect things like porcelain vaneers or any crown work; it can temporarily reduce the strength of the bond between enamel and composite restorations like fillings. 

If you are in the Chicago area and want to discuss teeth whitening, then contact Rubino Dentistry. We are a Chicagoland dental office and offer great whitening services. As a Park Ridge dentist, I see patients of all ages.