Laurence Stein DDS
Medical Moderator
Hi cowdog77,
In answer to your original question. Whether your cracked tooth will be a problem depends on a couple of things: 1) The severity and nature of the crack and 2) If the crack communicates with the tooth pulp (nerve).
Hopefully, your tooth is feeling OK with the temporary in place. That being said, if the dentist wasn't able to remove all the cracked tooth during preparation... and sometimes it is not... there is the potential that your breathing air, under pressure can permeate the tiny space within the crack. This could cause pain.
If the crack is into or even near the nerve, there is the possibility that the health of the nerve within the tooth is compromised and during a dive, this tissue becomes symptomatic.
Either one of these outcomes is UNLIKELY. Barodontalgia is a very rare occurrence. However, it can happen and if it does, it is very painful. Discontinue all diving if it happens.
Of greater concern to me is the temporary crown. It is called a temporary because it is meant to be there a short time and then easily removed to place the permanent crown. Temporary crowns do come off. The concern is one of aspiration underwater. If it comes loose and you are taking a deep breath, you can inhale the temporary into the lungs and this can send you to the hospital for removal or worse. Typically, temporary crowns cannot be seen on X-rays.
If you have a loose temporary, and you must dive, it is safer to dive WITHOUT the temporary if you are not in pain. This can be done but you can expect the tooth to be sensitive to the cold air as you inhale. If your tooth is tooth is too sensitive you will not be able to dive. Replace it between dives to prevent tooth movement or overgrowth of your gums onto the prepared tooth.
The DenTemp is a good idea and can be used successfully if used properly. I carry it on dive trips for temporary fillings if one should come loose. Since scuba-diving is not recommended with temporary crowns, you should not rely on this or any other temporary cement to adequately retain your temporary.
DO NOT DIVE WITH A LOOSE TEMPORARY OR ONE THAT IS CEMENTED WITH DENTURE ADHESIVE! This would be asking for an inhaled tooth and hospitalization at your dive destination or a drowning risk.
All of these possible bad outcomes have been reported in the literature. They are a rare occurrence and neither I nor any dentist can advise you to dive with a temporary crown. The decision is yours to make and the responsibility is yours.
Be safe
In answer to your original question. Whether your cracked tooth will be a problem depends on a couple of things: 1) The severity and nature of the crack and 2) If the crack communicates with the tooth pulp (nerve).
Hopefully, your tooth is feeling OK with the temporary in place. That being said, if the dentist wasn't able to remove all the cracked tooth during preparation... and sometimes it is not... there is the potential that your breathing air, under pressure can permeate the tiny space within the crack. This could cause pain.
If the crack is into or even near the nerve, there is the possibility that the health of the nerve within the tooth is compromised and during a dive, this tissue becomes symptomatic.
Either one of these outcomes is UNLIKELY. Barodontalgia is a very rare occurrence. However, it can happen and if it does, it is very painful. Discontinue all diving if it happens.
Of greater concern to me is the temporary crown. It is called a temporary because it is meant to be there a short time and then easily removed to place the permanent crown. Temporary crowns do come off. The concern is one of aspiration underwater. If it comes loose and you are taking a deep breath, you can inhale the temporary into the lungs and this can send you to the hospital for removal or worse. Typically, temporary crowns cannot be seen on X-rays.
If you have a loose temporary, and you must dive, it is safer to dive WITHOUT the temporary if you are not in pain. This can be done but you can expect the tooth to be sensitive to the cold air as you inhale. If your tooth is tooth is too sensitive you will not be able to dive. Replace it between dives to prevent tooth movement or overgrowth of your gums onto the prepared tooth.
The DenTemp is a good idea and can be used successfully if used properly. I carry it on dive trips for temporary fillings if one should come loose. Since scuba-diving is not recommended with temporary crowns, you should not rely on this or any other temporary cement to adequately retain your temporary.
DO NOT DIVE WITH A LOOSE TEMPORARY OR ONE THAT IS CEMENTED WITH DENTURE ADHESIVE! This would be asking for an inhaled tooth and hospitalization at your dive destination or a drowning risk.
All of these possible bad outcomes have been reported in the literature. They are a rare occurrence and neither I nor any dentist can advise you to dive with a temporary crown. The decision is yours to make and the responsibility is yours.
Be safe
