Ahg... I have a confirmed cracked tooth.. now what??

[Paul Jr]

Here is my deal, I had just got back from the dentist's office this morning for work on a different tooth, I had him look at a top molar that had been kind of bothering me and he had confirmed on the back inner side the tooth had a crack.

I've googled tooth squeeze hundreds of times and have probably ready a great amount of material on the issue (on the interenet), so I am familure with the concern in regards to a cracked tooth while diving. I have my OW this weekend and obviously no time to fix the tooth. Per my dentist's opinion, he feels it shouldnt been an issue.. My question, or interest for that matter is, has anyone knowingly dove with this condition and had serious issues?

The diving location is about 4 hours from here and it takes a great effort for me to get time off to do this, especially weekends... I've already rented my gear and paid up for this weekend..( of course had I known this issue before I would have acted sooner).

Thanks,

jR

 

[Pearldiver07]

If the crack is open, any air should flow in and out and not cause any issues (diving-wise, that is).

In all my time working with students I've only seen one event of a dental issue concerning a squeeze. The diver couldn't descend at all. A few feet down and she started to feel intense pain. Of course, she had to see the dentist, which is good because if you've got air trapped in an appliance/repair it is a problem in and of itself.

Don't worry, if there is any problem just don't try to "push past it." Your instructor and the shop should definitely understand if this is the case, and work with you to reschedule.

 

[pickens_46929]

Personally I would not do it since I am really sensitive to tooth pain to begin with. Add in the possibility of some real pain since it's already bothering you... wow, just would not do it. Better safe than really really sorry.

Hopefully you can make other arrangements to reschedule to OW dives.

 

[scubadiver888]

I have a pretty high tolerance to pain (I've broken ribs, crushed my foot, took the skin off down to the bone; didn't care). Cracked a tooth and required a three surface reconstruction. THAT HURT. Pain was unbearable. In other words, I agree with pickens_46929 that tooth pain is serious stuff.

That said, does it hurt right now? Can you bite down on a regulator? If you don't have any problems right now then I wouldn't worry. I have a cracked tooth right now. I've had a cracked tooth for almost a year now. It doesn't bug me; can't even feel it.

I got my Rescue Diver certification with this tooth. I'm starting my DM this weekend. The trouble comes if you get it repaired and the dentist leave a little air in there.

 

[pidgiepoo]

there is a dentist on SB and he's great with helping answer dental questions...
try a PM to Laurence Stein DDS. I got a great answer to my dental question from him last year.

 

[DocVikingo]

If the crack is open, any air should flow in and out and not cause any issues (diving-wise, that is).

Pearldiver07,

That can be the case.

However, with a cracked tooth when the internal tooth pressure exceeds blood pressure, blood flow in adjacent tissue in that area greatly slows. This opens the possibility for the accumulation of gases in the affected tissues and a subsequent expansion of the tooth through the fracture line upon ascent and that can be quite painful and cause additional damage.

It also opens the door to infection.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

 

[Laurence Stein DDS]

Ta Da! Someone asked for the dentist?

Paul Jr... If your tooth is symptomatic then it is probably best your skip the dive.

In answer to your question, "My question, or interest for that matter is, has anyone knowingly dove with this condition and had serious issues?" My answer is "Only those who have posted their problem on the Internet!"

You could well have a completely salvageable tooth for now. If the dive splits the tooth further or if there is a communication between the mouth through the fracture into the nerve, then you could force mouth germs into the nerve space and cause an infection. Worst case scenario could be tooth loss and then the cost of replacement.

All this being said, there are thousands of people diving with non-symptomatic/undetected tooth fractures and they experience no problems for a very long time. The dive is usually not the event that fractures the tooth. Instead, large old fillings often weaken a tooth and then under chewing forces, clenching, chewing ice, etc, the fracture gets worse until there is a problem that may manifest during a dive. Often times, the nerve in the fractured tooth may already be compromised by the time it is symptomatic.

The treatment for a fractured tooth is (minimum) a crown to hold the pieces together. There is no filling made that is strong enough to perform this task. You have to surround the pieces to hold the tooth together. Sometimes even this is not enough.

My advice is to skip the dive and fix the tooth first.

...and remember you pays your money and you takes your chances!....

Be careful.

Laurence Stein, DDS

 

[pickens_46929]

Worst case scenario could be tooth loss and then the cost of replacement.

Laurence Stein, DDS

Ummm Doc... Is that really the worst case?

Isn't the worst case more like multiple root canals followed by an eventual extraction and possible damage to the jaw bone due to serious infection like MRSA?

Errr, death due to sepsis?

I think those are pretty much worse than tooth loss and a possible appliance.

How likely are they? Don't know but with today's infection rates and anti-biotic resistant strains of bacteria, along with the cost of root canals (don't know any periodontists that refund your money if you eventually have the tooth extracted)... I'd personally not take the chances.

I've had too much dental work myself because old fillings and cracked teeth. Had too many friends have issues because they didn't have dental insurance for the crown. Just sayin' --- it can get ugly.

 

[drbill]

Gulp, I guess I should see my dentist soon. But first I'll have to rob a bank or three (preferably ones that received a few billion $$$ from us taxpayers).

 

[pidgiepoo]

I see where Dr Stein jumped in there and answered your question...sounds like good advise to me...good luck with the tooth problem...hope you don't have to work a second job to pay for everything !