Cracked Tooth? Here Are Some Options

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Most people, at some point in their lives, will end up with a crack in one or more of their teeth. Cracks are not uncommon and can spring up from a variety of situations. From chewing on hard or sticky foods, to grinding your teeth during the day and/or night or simply from aging, don’t be surprised if at some point you discover a cracked tooth in your mouth. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we know that when you have a crack in a tooth it can be stressful. How should you proceed? Because navigating a cracked tooth largely depends on the type of crack it is, we want to take some time to inform you about what you can expect with various types of cracks.

How is a cracked tooth diagnosed?

At Eggert Family Dentistry, we make sure to do a thorough exam of all your teeth, visually looking for any signs of cracking or other wear and tear. Some other diagnostic methods Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff may employ include: probing of the gums in search of inflammation or deeper pockets, photographing with the intraoral camera, or use of the “tooth sleuth,” a semi-hard bite stick to see if you experience pain – a telltale sign.

What types of cracks are there? How are they typically treated?

Once Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff locate the crack, they are then able to identify it. All cracked teeth fall into one of five categories: craze lines, cracked tooth, fractured cusp, vertical root crack, or split tooth. The way we proceed depends on which type of crack you are experiencing. Let’s look at definitions for the various types of cracks:

Craze lines: The most common and least concerning type of crack. Craze lines only affect the enamel of the tooth. Typically, craze lines simply need to be monitored to make sure they don’t turn into something more serious.

Cracked tooth: Although we use this term generically, it is specifically indicative of a crack moving toward the center of the tooth. It’s important to treat a cracked tooth in a timely fashion or it can become a split tooth and lead to an extraction.

Fractured cusp: This type of crack usually occurs around a dental filling and may or may not affect the pulp of the tooth. Because a fractured cusp means a significant portion of the tooth has been lost, it is always best to restore this type of damage with an onlay or crown.

Vertical root crack: This type of crack moves up the root of the tooth from the gumline. A vertical root crack allows a significant amount of bacteria to accumulate on the root surface and causes a severe infection of the gum tissue and surrounding bone. Occasionally this infection also reaches the pulp of the tooth, also causing a tooth abscess. Typically a tooth with this type of fracture must be removed.

Split tooth: As opposed to a vertical root crack, a split tooth means that the crack has become so severe that the tooth splits in half or at least significantly into the surrounding bone. It is unlikely to be able to save a tooth that is split and usually the recommended course of treatment is to remove the tooth.

What other methods of treatment exist?

As you can see, there are various types of cracks requiring various types of treatment. Depending on the scenario, the best treatment options usually are to crown the tooth and enclose the crack. Occasionally a root canal will be indicated, now or in the future, to treat any damage the crack has caused to the pulp. If a tooth with a vertical root crack or a split tooth needs to be removed, there are various ways to replace the tooth, including an implant, a bridge, or a partial denture.

Complications

The biggest complication with a cracked tooth is an infection. We do not take these infections lightly as they can spread to the bone and gums. Symptoms of infections may include: pain when chewing, fever, hot and cold sensitivity, tender neck glands, swollen gums and bad breath. If you suspect you have an infection in one of your teeth, we recommend you call us right away.

Prevention

The earlier the intervention when it comes to a cracked tooth, the better the outcome you will likely experience. A couple things to keep in mind to protect your teeth against cracks: avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods and wear a mouthguard for sports or a splint at night if you’re a teeth grinder.

You’re in good hands at Eggert Family Dentistry. If you crack a tooth, connect with us right away. We are happy to partner with you for any dental emergencies and for the dental wellness needs for your entire family. Give us a call at 651.482.8412!

Just a Few Crowns Can Make a Difference! Nina’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Nina has been a patient since 2012 when she came for an emergency visit because of a tooth ache and jaw pain. She had recently moved to the area and she was in need of some extensive treatment for several teeth. During her initial comprehensive exam with Dr. Elizabeth, she and Nina talked about what was going on, what Nina’s treatment options were, and how to proceed. At that time, Nina needed a referral to the Oral Surgeon for some extractions. Unfortunately, her emergency tooth ache was because of teeth that could no longer be saved.

What did Nina want?

Nina was concerned about getting too much treatment at her age but knew that due to the problems she had been experiencing she was in need of intervention. Ultimately Nina wanted to stabilize her mouth long-term and prevent further problems. Also she knew how important her teeth are for eating, speaking, and confidence.

What was involved?

Nina and Dr. Elizabeth worked for several years to treat the decay on many of her back teeth with fillings and new crowns. Nina never did like, however, the shape and color of her front teeth, always asking what could be done for them? They were getting decay, but the big issue was that they had lost a lot of enamel from wear and chipping over the years and filling material was not able to stand up to the forces Nina put on those teeth. Recently, Nina decided she wanted to move forward with putting crowns on three of her front teeth. This not only would look better, which Nina was excited for, the porcelain crowns would be able to protect the remaining tooth structure and stop the spread of decay, which was becoming more and more of an issue. Because the teeth are very visible in her smile it was important to move forward with all 3 at the same time to ensure a good match. Dr. Elizabeth prepared the three teeth for crowns, working with Nina to choose the right color, and sent them to Twin Cities Lab for fabrication.

What does Nina think?

Nina was very happy with the natural looking results! When asked about the crowns she said “I just love them!” Nina knew it had gotten to the point where it was the best thing for the teeth and that it would help keep her healthier. She only wishes she had done it a long time ago. She would recommend it to anyone in need of new crowns and said she feels just wonderful about her smile. Notice how easy it is for her to smile bigger now!


Thanks Nina! We just love working with you!

What Happens When You Are Born Without A Tooth? – Tyler’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Meet Tyler

Tyler came to our practice with his mother as a new patient because he had been forwarded one of our blog articles highlighting a patient with a very similar story. Tyler was born without an upper left lateral incisor tooth. He had recently completed orthodontic treatment. During orthodontic treatment, a “fake” tooth was held in place by his orthodontic wires. But, he and his mother were looking for more permanent options to replace the missing tooth as the flipper/retainer he had fabricated after his orthodontics was not comfortable to wear and he was concerned about his friends noticing.

What did he want?

Tyler had just recently completed over 5 years of orthodontics and wanted to feel more confident about his smile after investing so much of his time and care with braces. He and his mom were looking for an option that would give him a natural look that can last until he is finished growing and can have an implant placed to replace the tooth. He was also interested in brightening his smile and discussed several bleaching options with Dr. Elizabeth as a part of his treatment.

What was involved?

After doing a comprehensive exam and bleaching consult, Dr. Elizabeth recommended a composite veneer for his right side lateral incisor (since it was undersized) and a composite bonded bridge to replace his left side lateral incisor. Tyler had impressions of both his upper and lower teeth taken so that Dr. Elizabeth could complete a mock-up of what the results would look like. This gave Tyler and his mom the confidence to move forward with the treatment. Tyler also decided to proceed with ZOOM whitening and bleached his teeth in one day before the restorations to make sure he had the perfect shade for his pearly whites!

Bonded restorations like Tyler’s can be placed in just one visit. The procedure took Dr. Elizabeth a little over one hour as she custom-designed his new teeth and made sure they fit into the harmony of his bite. As extra protection Tyler also decided to have essix retainers and an athletic mouth guard made to keep his smile well protected and looking its best.

What does he think?

Tyler and his mom were very happy with the results. They thought everything looked natural and were glad to find another option for him! Tyler is happy he no longer needs to wear the flipper/retainer all the time and feels much more confident in the color and his overall smile. He thinks it was a great solution for him and highly recommends it to anyone considering this treatment!

 

Eggert Family Dentistry Scholarships – Helping Students Since 2005

Have you or someone you know ever considered a career in dentistry? There are nearly 200,000 practicing dentists in the United States as well as hundreds of thousands more people working as dental hygienists, assistants, administrators, and lab technicians who are enjoying fulfilling careers, competitive salaries and a quality work/life balance within the dental industry.

Opportunities and Specialties

When we think about dentistry, most of us imagine a traditional dentist office setting. According to the ADA, however, there are countless professional dentistry opportunities in other areas as well. “Today’s dental school graduates can choose to work in hospital emergency rooms, conduct advanced laboratory research, teach future dentists or even travel the world with international health and relief organizations.”

The ADA recognizes nine specialties within the industry: dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology/radiology/surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics.

Dental Education

Typically, DDS/DMD programs are four-year programs. Dental specialties require additional years of study above and beyond those four years. With over 65 dental schools throughout the country, dental school is highly competitive and requires a substantial financial investment. In fact, over 90% of dental students finance their education through the use of student loans.

Eggert Family Dentistry Scholarships

Eggert Family Dentistry is invested in the future of dentistry and believes that the cost of dental education shouldn’t prohibit anyone from pursuing their dreams. This is why, since 2005, Dr. Eggert has been making a difference in the lives of countless young people by awarding $2000 each year to four high school seniors from the following local schools: Mounds View, Irondale, Centennial and Spring Lake Park.

The goal of the scholarships is to get them in the hands of students pursuing a career in the dental industry. This means not only students planning on becoming a dentist, but the scholarships are given to future dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians as well. There are currently many opportunities in the dental industry, especially for axillary team members.

If you know a well-deserving senior from one of these schools that you would like to nominate for an Eggert Family Denistry scholarship, submit one to two paragraphs about why you believe this person should be awarded the scholarship. All nominations must be received before March of each year. Scholarship winners will join the ranks of these fine former recipients.

If you would like to know more about careers in dentistry, we would be happy to speak with you! Or, we have had students shadow at our office in the past as well. This is a great way to learn more about this exciting career path. Call us at 651-482-8412 to set something up.

Your Child’s Back-to-School Visit: Important Questions You Should Ask

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

We are now well into fall and having to say goodbye to summer and all of the sunshine and spontaneity. Fall can be great too though, with crisp mornings, majestic leaf displays and the comfort of that familiar routine. Oftentimes, getting back into the routine means getting our kids back on track with a visit to Eggert Family Dentistry.

The following are some great questions to bring up the next time we see you and your child:

  1. Can you give me insight into my child’s overall dental health?
    At your child’s recare visit, we will assess the health of your child’s teeth and gums and the development of their bite One thing we are very keyed into these days is how could your child’s development be linked to the airway we can see and evaluate from the mouth. You will hear Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff really evaluating the arch and palate development, the tonsil size, and the tongue shape, among other things.
  2. At what age should thumb-sucking be addressed?
    Thumb-sucking should ideally be stopped as soon as possible as it detrimentally affects the growth and development of the palate and contributes to mouth breathing habits. If your child is a thumb-sucker, it’s good to have this conversation with Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff upfront. They may be able to make recommendations for helping protect your child’s teeth and bone development as well as for broaching the sensitive subject with your child.
  3. What should my child’s daily dental care routine consist of?
    In many ways, your child’s daily dental care routine lays the foundation for a lifetime of dental wellness. At your child’s recare appointment, we will review what kind of toothbrush is best, discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques and explain how certain foods negatively impact tooth enamel.
  4. Can you tell me about x-rays? What are their benefits? Are they safe?
    Many parents have concerns when it comes to x-rays. X-rays are a safe and effective way for Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff to examine in between the teeth as well as the roots and below the gumline. They are the ONLY true way to spot early signs of tooth decay and thereby enact early prevention.
  5. What can you tell me about sealants? Could my child benefit from them?
    You’ve probably heard about sealants but what exactly are they and what is their purpose? This thin coating, when painted onto your child’s molars, can help prevent cavities from forming by sealing in the nooks and crannies that are hard to brush out. Sealants are a great idea for the right patient.
  6. Is my child getting enough fluoride?
    Fluoride is a key player when it comes to protecting your child’s teeth. It helps to strengthen enamel and protects against tooth decay. We can help review fluoride sources and any potential need for supplementation.
  7. If my child has a wiggly tooth is it ok to pull it out at home?
    Ahh, the bane of a parent’s existence – that persistently wiggly tooth that just dangles there taunting you! But is it really a good idea to go ahead and help nature along? It is unlikely that taking a very loose tooth out at home will cause any concern, but if you have more questions, we are happy to help walk you through the risks.
  8. Does my child need a mouth-guard for sports?
    If your child participates in sports, this is certainly a valid question. Contact sports in particular leave teeth susceptible to injury. It is great to have a custom-fit mouth-guard for sports because it is more evenly fabricated for better overall protection. It also is harder for your child to play with during sports because of the great fit.

Being a parent isn’t easy and sometimes it seems impossible to stay on top of it all. It truly takes a village. At Eggert Family Dentistry, you have a partner in family dental health! We are happy to connect with you and get your family rolling with regular dental care for a Lifetime of Smiles. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at 651-482-8412!

Keeping Your Kids Teeth Healthy All School Year Long

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

With the commencement of early-out-the-door mornings, fall sports and school lunches, the ins and outs of the school year routine often make our kids’ teeth more susceptible to damage and decay. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we know that dental vigilance is the biggest precaution against these dangers. Here are some pointers to help your kids protect those sweet smiles all school year long.

  • Teach your kids about the damage that highly-processed foods and sugary foods and beverages can wreak on their teeth. Encourage them to make healthy food choices during school lunch by eating moderate servings of fruits and veggies and passing up juice in favor of water or milk (white milk being highly preferred over chocolate, strawberry, or banana flavors).
  • Water is the optimal beverage choice when it comes to dental health. City water contains fluoride which helps strengthen enamel and protect teeth against decay. Send your kids to school with a large water bottle each day and encourage them to refill it as needed.
  • Between sticks and balls, tackling and checking, fall and winter sports can make teeth more susceptible to damage. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we can help your child be fitted for a custom-fit mouthguard to protect those pearly whites. In addition to a mouthguard, encourage your kids to always wear a helmet for sports that warrant them – practices included! Helmets are also a great layer of protection for your child’s mouth as well as his or her head and face.
  • Brushing twice a day might not seem like a big deal in the summer months but when those early school mornings roll around and everyone is feeling pressed for time, morning brushing often goes by the wayside. Encouraging your kids to brush before breakfast is better than nothing, and can be an easy way to ensure pH levels don’t drop to unsafe acidic levels, making teeth more vulnerable to cavities.
  • This might go without saying, but regular recare visits are the best prevention against tooth damage and decay. Be sure that the school year doesn’t get the best of you by making your family’s recare appointments 6 months in advance. Call us today at 651-482-8412 and we can help you set up your next recare visit.

From all of us at Eggert Family Dentistry, we wish you and your families an easy transition into the school year routine and time to enjoy all the wonder and beauty fall brings. We hope to see you soon!

A New Smile with Veneers – Lauri’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?
Lauri was interested in whitening her teeth and was concerned about some progressing decay around her current veneers. To find out her options, she completed the records process with Dr. Elizabeth. This process allows our doctors to use models, x-rays, and photos of the patient’s teeth, gums, and bite to better understand the cause of any problems and determine the best course of treatment. Lauri was invested in improving both the health and beauty of her smile!

What did she want?
Lauri was very interested in our KOR bleaching option, but also wanted to ensure the decay that was found was also addressed. She was interested in using this opportunity to have new veneers made to take her smile to the next level. Dr. Elizabeth took all of her requests and desires into consideration during the records process and incorporated that into her recommendation.

What was involved?
During the treatment presentation, Dr. Elizabeth gave Lauri some recommendations to consider such as orthodontics, replacement veneers, splint therapy, and discussed whitening as well. Lauri decided to move forward with a consultation with an orthodontist to get more information. After a lot of consideration, she decided orthodontics wasn’t right for her at this time. Therefore, splint therapy was started to confirm a consistent jaw position before completing new restorations. During this time she was also fitted for KOR bleaching trays to use at home and received her KOR in-office whitening treatment. By doing the KOR bleaching, Lauri was able to minimize the number of veneers she had fabricated as her color was improved for her lower teeth with the bleaching alone.

What does she think?
Lauri had veneers done in the past so the procedure wasn’t new to her. She is excited to say that she does like her teeth much better now that she had them re-done. She really wanted her new teeth to match the shape and contours of her previous veneers and was focused on improving the color, but still wanted her teeth to look completely natural. She thinks the outcome was a “slam dunk!” We asked Lauri if she would recommend this procedure to someone who unhappy with their smile and she replied, “If they didn’t like their teeth, they should do it – unquestionably!” We just love looking at that beautiful smile!

If you think veneers might be the smile solution you’re looking for, contact Eggert Family Dentistry today!

Crowns vs. Veneers: Which Smile Solution Is Right for You?

Tooth trauma—it happens. Whether you’ve cracked a tooth playing lacrosse or need to fill a cavity from chowing down on too many treats at the Minnesota State Fair, you’re not alone in the need to address weak, broken, or painful teeth. Eggert Family Dentistry often recommends crowns or veneers to patients suffering from tooth traumas. But what’s the difference between these two procedures? How do you know which one is right for you?

What Is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns have been a dentistry staple for decades. A crown helps you recover your smile after a tooth decays, cracks, weakens, or becomes discolored. Sometimes, filling or bonding a tooth is not enough for you to chew comfortably and confidently. In this case, we may recommend a crown.

A crown is a porcelain cup that fits snugly over your tooth. Installing one takes one or two visits. On your first visit, we’ll reshape your tooth and take dental molds. Sometimes, we can use our CEREC equipment to scan your tooth and make your crown in-house. If this is the case for you, we can install your crown the same day. Otherwise, we’ll send the mold of your tooth to a dental lab. We’ll ask you to come back in a couple of weeks to install the crown once it’s ready. We’ll use cement to secure the crown to your tooth, and you’ll be good to go!

What Is a Dental Veneer?
Dental veneers are a great way to recover your smile when several teeth are cracked, weak, misaligned, or chipped. A veneer is a very thin, ceramic shell. It covers your entire existing tooth structure, not just a single tooth. Once installed, veneers look and feel just like your natural teeth.

Veneers take two to three visits to design and install. In your first visit, we’ll discuss the smile shape and look you hope to accomplish with your veneers. Then, we’ll prepare your teeth for placement of the veneers and take molds. We’ll send the mold to our dental lab for fabrication, which takes two to three weeks. In the meantime, we’ll offer you a temporary solution you can wear while your veneers are custom made. At your last appointment, we’ll bond them into place. You can start flashing your new smile immediately.

Should I Get Crowns or Veneers?
If you’re a candidate for crowns and veneers, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff will explain the difference between these two smile solutions and give you their professional recommendations. Typically, we’ll recommend crowns for patients who have one or two troublesome teeth. Veneers are a better solution for patients struggling with multiple issues on multiple teeth.

Wondering if a crown or a set of veneers is something you need? Schedule your appointment with Eggert Family Dentistry today. We can help you decide healthiest, safest, and most comfortable way forward.

CEREC Dental Restorations

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

People put off dental work for all kinds of reasons.

You might know you need a crown, but you’re too busy to come in for multiple appointments. Maybe you had a bad experience once with a temporary crown. Or maybe you really don’t like the process of getting an impression of your teeth taken.

Well, there’s good news. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we can set you up with a state-of-the-art crown, in a single appointment, with no need to take an impression using our CEREC crown milling unit. CEREC is a fantastic, high-tech system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations that can all be done in one appointment.

CEREC is a sophisticated set of tools utilizing 3D video imaging and CAD/CAM (computer aided design and manufacturing) technology. With CEREC, we can design a virtual restoration without taking impressions and manufacture the actual restoration in our in-house milling unit while you wait. A variety of materials are available, including compressed porcelain, emax porcelain, or compressed composite resin. The quality of these restorations is equivalent, or even better, than what we can have manufactured in the traditional manner by a dental laboratory.

One Visit, No Impression, No Temporary Crown

Are you interested in getting a same-day restoration? Your appointment will be about two hours long, most of which you will be able to spend time watching your favorite TV show or reading a magazine while we fabricate your crown. The resulting restoration will look great, last a long time, and is metal-free.

CEREC Procedure

  • The first step is to remove all decay from the tooth. Dr. Eggert then shapes the tooth in preparation to take a digital scan of the tooth.
  • The highly detailed digital scan is captured, and the tooth appears in 3D on the computer screen. While you watch, Dr. Eggert designs the restoration.
  • Once the design is completed, the CEREC machine begins the 10-minute milling process. If interested, you can even watch the crown’s construction!
  • Once the milling process is complete, the restoration is sized for accuracy and the color and glazing is finalized.

If you have been putting off your recommended dental treatment, don’t delay. The CEREC will have you out the door with your new crown in no time. Contact us today at 651-482-8412 or on our website. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have on this!

ICON – Chauncey’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?
Chauncey had white spots on several of his front teeth for as long as he can remember. Typically spots like these are caused by orthodontic work but can be a developmental characteristic too. He researched online about different procedures available to treat the spots and found our You Tube video about the Icon procedure. After doing extensive research he decided to give us a call!

What did he want?
The white spots were very visible whenever he talked or smiled. Chauncey wanted a more consistent coloring in his teeth so the white spots no longer distracted from his beautiful smile. He wanted a procedure that would give him good long-term results that didn’t require re-treating the way many bleaching treatments do. He also liked the non-invasive manner of the ICON procedure.

What is involved?
Icon is a great way to resolve white spot lesions because it requires no tooth removal or Novocain and is very conservative. First, we isolate the teeth and tissues. With a simple cleaning solution we rub on the teeth to start the spot removal process. The Icon infiltrate is then rubbed on to the surface of the teeth and cured with a light. The Icon infiltrate and curing light is then completed a second time to ensure a protective seal on the teeth. The surface is smoothed with a polishing paste and other polishing instruments if necessary. It’s really that easy!

What does he think?
Chauncey was uncertain before having the treatment completed and did a lot of research on his own about the results and process. He says he is, “Very happy, and surprised and how well it worked!” He would tell anyone considering this treatment to go for it. Chauncey was very excited about being able to get same day results and feels much more confident in his improved smile!

If you’d like to experience this treatment for yourself, contact us today!