“Failing teeth” can fall under many categories: severe infection and toothaches, discoloration, broken, displaced, and knocked-out teeth. Please call Dental Excellence, Advanced Prosthodontics, and Dentistry of Towson at (410) 828-1177 if you have any sudden problems with your teeth.
Dr. Patrick L. Ousborne and Dr. Rikki Esterson will help you get the right treatment for your dental problem. If you have been told that you have failing or “hopeless” teeth, schedule a consultation with our trained prosthodontists to explore treatment options, and restore your smile.
Our goal is to provide “excellence” in dental care and to take the time to get it right so that your outcome is both stable and lasting.
Toothache
A toothache can be a sign of tooth decay or gum disease as well as worn tooth enamel. You may feel hypersensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. If your toothache is not fixed by over-the-counter pain relievers, please contact our office so that we can find the best solution for you.
Tooth Discoloration
Tooth discoloration can be caused by infection, smoking, and tobacco use, as well as consuming pigmented beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas. However, gum disease may also cause tooth enamel discoloration.
Fracture
Tooth fractures can range from minor chipping to large breaks at the root. We utilize dental x-rays to diagnose, locate, and measure the extent of tooth fracture. If you have recently fractured a tooth, rinse it with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
If the tooth is broken in half, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and stabilize the remaining portion of the tooth by gently biting on a towel or handkerchief to control bleeding. If it is determined that your fractured or cracked tooth is the result of a more complex problem such as a bite disorder, we will recommend appropriate treatment to repair damage and address concerns.
Displaced Teeth
Displaced teeth may seem elongated or shorter, rotated, sideways, or pushed forward and backward. The sooner that we can evaluate the site, the easier it may be to bring the tooth back into proper alignment. We will also evaluate the displaced tooth periodically to determine if a root canal procedure or tooth extraction is needed.
If one of your upper teeth hangs down or a lower tooth rises up, you can try to reposition your tooth using pressure from your finger. It is possible to stabilize the tooth by gently biting on a towel or handkerchief. You can do the same if one of your teeth is pushed back or pulled forward.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Upper front permanent teeth are the most common teeth to be completely knocked out. Knocked out permanent teeth should be retrieved, kept moist, and placed back into their sockets as soon as possible. It is important to seek dental care immediately when any tooth is knocked out.