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Fractured tooth and infection question.
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| mr_ravi_patil@yahoo.com 2006-07-30, 2:21 am |
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I had tooth (#18) extracted due to fracture (likely caused by biting on
food though I don't recall particular traumatic event).
I had an exam one year ago and there were no problems -- I'd never had
any cavities or previous gum problems and regularly brush and floss.
In June, I started experiencing gum swelling/infection under tooth #18.
The fracture was not visible at that time but the fracture diagnosis
was made weeks later.
In trying to understand what happened, I am thinking that the
infection was caused by the crack in the tooth -- food/bacteria get
through the crack causing infection -- and not due to lack of brushing.
Is it safe to conclude that the infection was not due to proper hygiene
(brushing/flossing)?
Or is it possible that improper brushing could have lead to infection
and/or fracture?
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| Steven Bornfeld 2006-07-30, 4:22 pm |
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mr_ravi_patil@yahoo.com wrote:
> I had tooth (#18) extracted due to fracture (likely caused by biting on
> food though I don't recall particular traumatic event).
>
> I had an exam one year ago and there were no problems -- I'd never had
> any cavities or previous gum problems and regularly brush and floss.
>
> In June, I started experiencing gum swelling/infection under tooth #18.
> The fracture was not visible at that time but the fracture diagnosis
> was made weeks later.
>
> In trying to understand what happened, I am thinking that the
> infection was caused by the crack in the tooth -- food/bacteria get
> through the crack causing infection -- and not due to lack of brushing.
>
>
> Is it safe to conclude that the infection was not due to proper hygiene
> (brushing/flossing)?
>
> Or is it possible that improper brushing could have lead to infection
> and/or fracture?
>
Vertical fractures that lead to loss of the tooth have no direct
relationship to oral hygiene. If a tooth is vertically fractured the
infection will extend wherever the fracture leads (usually into the gum
and bone) regardless of the level of oral hygiene.
Steve
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| mr_ravi_patil@yahoo.com 2006-08-17, 2:22 am |
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Steven Bornfeld wrote:
> mr_ravi_patil@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
> Vertical fractures that lead to loss of the tooth have no direct
> relationship to oral hygiene. If a tooth is vertically fractured the
> infection will extend wherever the fracture leads (usually into the gum
> and bone) regardless of the level of oral hygiene.
>
Is the folowing scenario possible?:
Poor hygiene (lack of proper flossing / brushing) leads to infection
and gum loss around the healthy tooth, which then weakens the tooth and
causes the tooth to fracture.
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| Mark & Steven Bornfeld 2006-08-17, 8:24 am |
| mr_ravi_patil@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Is the folowing scenario possible?:
>
> Poor hygiene (lack of proper flossing / brushing) leads to infection
> and gum loss around the healthy tooth, which then weakens the tooth and
> causes the tooth to fracture.
>
We have to nail down what you mean by "weakens the tooth". Poor oral
hygiene will certainly increase the potential for periodontal disease,
including bone loss, and can certainly lead to tooth loss. But unless
there is also decay related to the poor oral hygiene (certainly
possible) it's not fair to say that the poor oral hygiene is related to
the fracture.
Steve
--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
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