How To Fix a Cracked Tooth

Cracking your tooth is a scary experience. It can happen when you bite into something too hard like ice or candy, though it can also occur due to habitual teeth-grinding. Sometimes, you might not even know when the crack happens, but you feel pain in a certain area and/or a sensitivity to hot or cold liquids. Molars are the most common teeth to get cracked. A crack requires emergency dentistry even if it doesn’t hurt. Depending on the severity of the crack, there are different treatment options. At Chesterfield Dentistry, here is how we might fix a cracked tooth:

Polishing

For very minor cracks that only affect the enamel, you might not need more treatment than a little polishing. These types of minor cracks are called “craze lines” and only affect the tooth’s appearance. Polishing can fix that.

Dental Crown

A dental crown covers the crack in your teeth, protecting it from further damage and restoring its appearance. Crowns are the most common treatment for cracked teeth.

Root Canal

If a crack has extended into the tooth’s nerve-rich pulp, a root canal will likely be necessary. After the procedure, a dental crown will then be put on the affected tooth to stop the crack from spreading.

Extraction

If the crack is really severe and extends deep into the tooth below the gum line, extraction is likely the best line of treatment. This is the last option for a cracked tooth and we only recommend it if we believe the tooth can’t be saved.

What to Do If You Crack Your Tooth

If you feel pain when biting down or an increased sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures, you might have a cracked tooth. Contact our office right away, so we can figure out the best treatment plan. Until you come in for your appointment, do your best to avoid chewing on the side where you feel the pain because chewing can make the crack worse.

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