Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a patient to experience a cracked tooth at some point in their life. If you find that you have a cracked tooth, it is very important to see your dentist as soon as possible even if you are not experiencing any pain or other symptoms. When a tooth fractures, it becomes vulnerable to bacteria and food particles that can get into the crack and cause an infection. Inside our teeth lies a little system of nerves, blood, and tissue that if they should become infected, can lead to the development of an abscess or require root canal therapy.
What is the treatment for a cracked tooth?
There are a few different treatments that are used to repair a cracked tooth depending on the extent of the damage. A minor crack may be able to be fixed with composite bonding but a large crack could leave the tooth hopeless and unable to be repaired at which point the only option is extraction.
For small fractures, your dentist will start by cleaning and drying the tooth before applying an acidic etching material which creates a rough surface for the composite bonding to adhere to. The bonding is applied and shaped and cured with an ultraviolet light. It is then smooth and polished. Composite bonding is the same resin material that is used to fill a cavity.
A larger fracture may require a dental crown or veneer. Crowns and veneers are fabricated using porcelain which is incredibly durable and stain resistant. For this procedure, your doctor will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel, just enough to allow space for the restoration. While the procedure for crowns and veneers is the same, a veneer is much thinner and requires the loss of less tooth structure. A crown fits over the entire surface of the exposed tooth and a veneer only covers the front surface.
In the event that a fractured tooth becomes infected, you may need a root canal therapy before the truth can be restored. A root canal is performed by an endodontist who removes the underlying pulp tissue which houses blood and nerves. A root canal will quickly get you out of pain and allow you to keep your natural tooth as long as possible!
On occasion, a tooth can crack below the gumline or down into the route structure. When this happens, the tooth is deemed hopeless and must come out. If you have to have an extraction, your dentist may recommend a dental implant to restore the area.
In order to save your tooth and keep your cost down, it is important to seek treatment from your dentist as soon as you suspect you have a cracked tooth. Most dental offices reserve emergency time in their schedule every day and even if they do not have time to repair your tooth, they can apply a protective restoration to prevent further damage until you can be seen for treatment. If you crack a tooth outside of business hours, call your dental office anyway as most will have an emergency contact number on their voicemail so you can reach a doctor.