If your child is complaining that their gums, tongue or cheeks are hurting, they may be suffering from a condition called talon cusps. Talon cusps are abnormal growths which can appear on the rear of the teeth. The condition gets its name from the fact that these growths are typically shaped like a claw or talon. Below is a guide to all you need to know about talon cusps.
Symptoms
Alongside irritation of the soft tissues within the mouth, other symptoms of talon cusps include:
Treatment Options
If you spot the signs of talon cusps, you should take your child to the dentist. Your dentist will carry out an inspection of your child's mouth and will assess the location and severity of the talon cusps. If the talon cusps are not causing any pain or irritation and are not impacting the development of the surrounding teeth, your dentist may recommend that they are left in place. However, your dentist will monitor the cusp during regular check-ups to ensure that the cusps do not go on to present a problem in the future.
If the talon cusps have developed in such a way that they are causing your child discomfort or impacting the development and health of surrounding teeth, your dentist may recommend further treatment. For example, if the talon cusps are quite small, your dentist may simply recommend having the tooth reshaped. The involves using specialist dental tools to grind away the cusps, leaving the back of the tooth smooth and contoured. Alternatively, they may fill the gap between the tooth and the talon cusps with composite resin. This resin will help to prevent food and plaque from becoming trapped between the tooth and cusps which can cause tooth decay.
If the talon cusps contain any pulp tissue, blood vessels and nerves, they will recommend that your child undergoes a root canal procedure. The root canal procedure will remove the nerves within the tooth and kill the pulp tissue; this will allow the dentist to reshape the tooth without causing your child unnecessary pain and discomfort.
In extreme cases, the dentist may recommend the extraction of the problem tooth. If the tooth is a milk tooth, it will eventually be replaced by an adult tooth. If the tooth is an adult tooth, the dentist will replace it with an artificial tooth.
If you have any concerns about your child's dental health, you should book an appointment with your dentist today.
Share28 October 2016
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
