What Is Your Best Chance To Fix a Cracked Tooth?
A cracked tooth is a broken or damaged tooth.
Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth runs from the biting surface to the downside toward the roots of the tooth. Sometimes, it penetrates the gum line. It usually damages the inner soft tissues of the tooth, but the tooth is not dissociated into two parts.
How Teeth Crack
Not all teeth crack in the same way. There are different ways in which teeth crack.
Craze Line
A craze line tooth crack happens in all adults and only the tooth enamel is affected. Craze lines do not need any treatment, and they are not even prominent.
Cracked Cusp
If the pointed, biting part of the tooth (cusp) is broken, the crack is called a cracked cusp. Cracked cusps can cause you a harsh pain when you bite something.
Split Tooth
If the cracked tooth is left untreated, it can lead to a split tooth. In a split tooth, the crack starts from the roots and runs upward towards the biting surface.
Reasons For a Cracked Tooth
The following are the most common reasons for cracked teeth.
- Excessive pressure on teeth caused by extreme grinding.
- Chewing on some hard food or objects.
- Large filling.
- Sudden temperature fluctuation, like drinking cold water after eating something hot.
- A punch to the mouth.
- Gum disorders.
How Can I Tell If I Have Cracked Tooth?
It is hard to spot a cracked tooth as its symptoms vary widely. Some common symptoms are:
- Pain in the teeth, especially when releasing a bite.
- Uncomfortable sensation while eating something that is either extremely hot or cold.
- Agitation while eating sweets.
- Swelling in gums near the cracked tooth.
Detecting a Cracked Tooth
It’s hard to detect cracks using dental X-rays because in most cases cracks are not parallel to the beam of X-rays. Yet, there are some other means to detect them. Sometimes, the pain in the teeth gives the clue of the presence of a crack. If you have a vertical root fracture and the crack is long, vertical bone loss is prominent. A cracked tooth can be detected by using a bright light or magnifying glass. Dyes can also be used to detect tooth cracks. Here is how to handle a cracked tooth emergency.
Will I Need To Have Treatment?
If you leave a cracked tooth untreated, they will cause the death of nerves. The abscess might get too bad and could spread to other areas of your teeth. In severe cases, you might need a root canal treatment or the tooth has to be taken out to prevent further damage.
Will I Lose My Tooth?
A cracked tooth has to be removed, but not always. If it’s detected at an early stage, you can save your teeth. So, visit your ArtSmiles’ dentist regularly. Get proper guidance for maintaining dental health.
Fixing Cracked Teeth
The treatment of cracked teeth depends on the quantity of damage.
Bonding
Bonding is the filling of tooth cracks with a plastic resin. It restores the biting edge and also the shape of the tooth.
Cosmetic Contouring
It’s used for small cracks. The cracked edges are rounded and polished to make them smooth.
Dental Veneers
These are porcelain or composite resin shells that cover the front teeth and conceal the cracked teeth.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are used if veneers are unable to be used. The tooth is first cleaned by root canal and then a crown is fitted over the cracked tooth.
These treatments prevent further damage, but cannot heal the teeth completely. They also enable the teeth to function normally for years.
Can I Stop My Teeth Cracking?
You can’t stop it completely, but you may be able to prevent it by:
1. Using mouthguards to avoid dental injuries.
2. Do not chew on hard items.
If you’re suffering from Cracked Tooth Syndrome, get in touch with our specialists as soon as possible.
ArtSmiles is conveniently located in Southport and our dentists are ready to serve you.
Consult our dentists if you have queries about a cracked tooth.
Make an appointment by clicking here.
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