Painful cusp

[Ellen 01]

On Friday, the outer cusp of the lower right molar began to hurt. It was not sensitive to heat or cold. Today, Monday, the dull pain was almost constant. It is also slightly sensitive to cold and heat, though it goes. I suffer from bruxism and haven't worn my splint for a few weeks. The pain is worse on biting. I am due to see a dentist in two weeks. Can it wait that long?

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post Ellen.

Its possible that your tooth's cusp has a fracture line within it and though the cusp has not fractured off yet, it could fracture off at some point soon. Bruxism can also cause toothache if a nightguard is not worn. Bruxism as I am sure you know can cause cusp fracture if a nightguard is not worn.

However my worry would be that if you do have a superficial fracture line, that fracture line could propagate and create a catastrophic fracture if the tooth is not treated soon. So in my opinion you should not wait 2 weeks and you should go and see your dentist now.

Good luck.