Fixing a cracked tooth

Cracked teeth are no fun, and neither are the complications that can arise from not treating them. While it might seem like a silly mistake to bite too hard on a piece of ice or hard candy, if you create a crack or fracture a tooth, the problems that can arise from that mistake are no joke. They include infection, loss of the tooth itself, or even oral surgery. The best thing to do if you think you might have a cracked tooth? Call your dentist right away and set up an appointment to have it evaluated.

How does this happen?

While our teeth are very strong, capable of breaking down all sorts of foods, sometimes we give them something that’s a little too much for them to handle, like a piece of exceptionally hard piece of candy or a thoroughly frozen ice cube. In these moments, you might bite down and feel your tooth give way to the hard substance. Cracks in your teeth can also happen slowly over time, as the hard enamel that covers the softer pulp of your teeth is damaged and chipped away by frequent clenching of your teeth or even grinding your teeth in your sleep – this long-term damage makes your teeth more susceptible to further damage such as cracks.

What are the signs?

A cracked tooth can usually be felt in the moment of initial damage, and it can oftentimes be felt following the incident, as well. A cracked tooth usually makes itself known by the pain you then feel while chewing your food or drinking a hot or cold beverage. This pain is the result of the exposure of the nerves inside of your teeth to the substances in your mouth that your tooth enamel usually protects them from; when a crack is introduced into your tooth, things like foods and beverages can then get into the crack and irritate the now exposed nerves. Because food and beverages now have easy access to the parts of your teeth that are supposed to be protected, this can also set the scene for infection inside of the cracked tooth, which is something a dental repair by your dentist can help you avoid.

How will my dentist fix my cracked tooth?

There are a number of ways your dentist can fix a cracked tooth, depending on the location and the amount of damage that has been done. If you’ve created a small chip in your tooth enamel or an existing filling, a simple filling or bonding procedure (the simple adhering and shaping of composite material to the tooth) might be all that’s required. If a larger portion of your tooth has been broken as a result of the crack, you might require a crown, which is a piece of composite material that is placed over the top of your tooth to protect the tender pulp and nerves inside. In cases where the damage is more extensive, like when the tooth has been broken close to the gum line or a crack that goes all the way down into the pulp of the tooth, your dentist may have to perform a root canal or even remove and replace the damaged tooth.

Don’t delay – call your dentist today!

To avoid unwanted complications from a cracked tooth, the best course of action is to call your dentist for an appointment. It’s always best to have your tooth evaluated and repaired as quickly as possible – this can help you avoid possible infection, unnecessary pain, and even the loss of the cracked tooth. So don’t delay – call your dentist today!

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