Dental Implants

Question:

I have a tooth with a complicated horizontal root fracture (above the gum line). For now, the situation is stable, and three doctors have told me that I am safe (on land anyway) and to wait until I am ready to address it or complications occur.

The net result is that I will have to remove the tooth eventually, but for now, as there is no pain and no infection and no complications, I am putting it off for various reasons.

It has been over two months since the accident where the tooth was fractured and I have been logging 10 dives a week on average. So far, I have not experienced any discomfort, infection or adverse effects. My dives have been as deep as 30m+ and as long as 60+ minutes. There are no signs or symptoms of any change.

Are there any diving considerations that I should be more aware of? Reverse block, gas exchange, etc?

Answer:

- Fractured or carious teeth are at increased risk of gas trapping, possibly resulting in barotraumas or pain during ascent.

- Other concerns pertain to your ability to hold and retain the regulator comfortably in your mouth in order to dive safely.

- The injured tooth may also be hyper-sensitive to temperature changes which may react to cold dry air from the regulator and offer some discomfort; and

- Any broken or oral mucosa might be at increased risk of infection from exposure to seawater as well as gas tracking under the gum as it enters the mouth from the regulator.