A tooth crack is not always visible to the naked eye, and it does not always produce specific symptoms. This is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly, where they will check for cracks as part of a routine checkup. An extensive crack manifests itself by pain when biting or chewing food, also by unexplained pain that comes and goes, swelling of the gums around the damaged tooth. If you are experiencing these symptoms, see your dentist, as they will have many options for treating a cracked tooth. Below is a small list of some of the more common solutions for cracked teeth.
Bonding
The reconstruction of a tooth using a dental filling known as bonding. Treatment can be completed even in one visit. It involves rebuilding a lost tooth fragment using a plastic composite material (sometimes it is also possible to glue a broken tooth fragment). The dentist prepares the tooth appropriately, then covers it with subsequent layers of composite resin in a natural shade until it obtains the appropriate shape and length, and then hardens the filling. This is the best and fastest method of reconstruction in the case of minor damage to the tooth hard tissue. However, there are limitations as bonding can only be used on healthy teeth. An absolute contraindication to composite reconstruction is the presence of carious lesions and periodontal diseases.
Veneers
Veneers are very thin tooth-shaped sheets of ceramics that the dentist applies to the outside of the teeth. The dentist first grinds the tooth, then uses special cement to attach a thin ceramic flake to its outer surface, which constitutes a natural extension of the tooth. Ceramic veneer is resistant to discoloration, gives a lasting and aesthetic effect - the appropriate shape and shade are always selected. Veneers are generally a universal solution, both in the case of larger damage, e.g. fractures, and chipping or asymmetry of front teeth, and in the case of small cracks.
Crown: Many options to choose from
A crown will completely cover the cracked or broken tooth. Installing a crown usually requires two visits. During treatment, the so-called temporary crown. A crown can be used for most cracked teeth.
1.) Crown on a crown-root post - in the most severe cases, when the crack covers the entire tooth and the mechanical trauma causes damage to the living dental pulp, root canal treatment will be necessary before tooth reconstruction. Only then is the tooth rebuilt with a crown on a crown-root post. Before the crown-root post is placed, the tooth is treated endodontically. It involves removing the pulp from the tooth chamber and canals, disinfecting them multiple times and filling them with an appropriate material.
2.) Porcelain crown - its inner part is made of steel or gold, while the outside of the crown is covered with porcelain. This solution is not as aesthetic as an all-ceramic crown. The tooth is duller than natural teeth, and over time, a dark border may appear at the border of the crown and the gum.
3.) All-ceramic crown - the tooth looks very natural, it is difficult to distinguish it from natural teeth.
4.) Telescopic crown - it consists of two parts - primary and secondary crown. The primary crown, made entirely of metal (steel or gold), is permanently attached to the patient's previously polished tooth. In this way, a pillar is created for prosthetic work. The secondary crown is placed on the abutment "press-fit". Its interior is made of metal, while the exterior is covered with porcelain.
Dental implant or bridge
If the tooth is very damaged, the only possible solution may be its removal and reconstruction with a bridge or dental implant.