Have you ever felt pain in a tooth while eating or after drinking something too hot or cold? You might have a cracked tooth. However, a cracked tooth may not cause any pain or discomfort and could even be symptomless, leaving the patient without any knowledge of the crack.
Dr. Morgan Chambers can treat patients with a cracked tooth in his Lexington, KY office. Contact Complete Dentistry For All Ages if you experience pain or discomfort while eating, tooth swelling, sensitivity, and intermittent pain. Although tooth damage may seem like a small dental concern, it can worsen over time.
What To Do If You Have a Cracked Tooth
Call Dr. Chambers if you show any signs or symptoms of a cracked tooth. If the crack is deep enough, it can lead to an infection that can spread to the bone and gums. At your appointment at our Lexington, KY dentist office, Dr. Chambers will perform a visual examination of your teeth. She may need to take x-rays or use a magnifying glass to get a better view of your teeth. There are several different types of cracked teeth she may discover, including the following.
- Fractured Cusp: A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the chewing surface of the tooth has broken off. You will typically see this around dental fillings and does not usually cause pain.
- Split Tooth: Just like the name suggests, this is literally when a tooth splits or is close to splitting into two. The dentist may or may not be able to save the tooth. Dr. Chambers will try to save half of the tooth if possible, but we may need to extract the entire tooth.
- Vertical Root Crack: This type of crack begins below the gum line in the root of the tooth, and extends upward. This is difficult to fix and the dentist will most likely need to extract the tooth.
- Craze Lines: These are very tiny cracks that appear in the tooth’s enamel. They might not cause pain, and also might not need repairs.
- Crack that extends into gum line: A vertical crack that extends below the gum line requires prompt treatment to save the tooth and relieve the pain.
- Crack that does not extend into gum line: A vertical crack that does not extend below the gum line is usually not painful and we can save the tooth.
Repairing Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth can cause immense pain and discomfort, but modern dental treatments offer a variety of solutions to repair them. From crowns and veneers to fillings and inlays, dentists now have a range of techniques at their disposal to restore the look and feel of your teeth. With the help of modern tools and software, our dental team can complete these treatments quickly and effectively with minimal pain or disruption.
Dental Bonding
Dr. Chambers will use a simple tooth-colored filling for minor cracks and tooth damage. Dental bonding is a simple and cost-effective way to repair cracked teeth. It is a process of applying a tooth-colored resin material to the surface of the tooth, which we then harden using a special light.
This helps to restore the tooth’s natural shape and strength. We can also use the procedure to close gaps between teeth, repair chipped or broken teeth, and improve the look of stained teeth. To learn more about the bonding procedure, see Tooth Bonding.
Dental Filling
Dental fillings fill in the cracks and restore the tooth’s shape, strength, and function. It is important to choose the right type of filling material for each individual case as it will determine how successful the treatment is. The most common types of dental filling materials are amalgam, composite resin, porcelain, gold, silver alloys, and glass ionomers.
Depending on the severity of the crack, your dentist may recommend one or more types of dental filling materials for your specific case. If decay is present, Dr. Chambers will use a resin dental filling to fix the damage. If the crack is near a dental filling, she may need to remove the filing to inspect the damage. To learn more about fillings, see Dental Fillings.
Dental Crown
Dental crowns are a great way to repair cracked teeth and restore their strength and appearance. This procedure involves covering the damaged tooth with a custom-made cap that looks and functions just like a natural tooth. It is important to get the right type of crown for your tooth in order to ensure that it lasts for many years.
Dr. Chambers can also use dental crowns to protect weak teeth from further damage, improve their appearance, and even hold dental bridges in place. Dr. Chambers will most likely use a dental cap to save the tooth from further damage and give it strength if the crack is above the gum line. To learn about the dental crowns procedure, see Dental Crowns.
Root Canal
If the crack has extended into the pulp chamber of the tooth, Dr. Chambers may need to perform a root canal to save the tooth. Dr. Chambers will cap the tooth with a dental crown to restore the tooth after the root canal. However, when cracks are in the root of the tooth or if the tooth splits beyond repair, she will most likely need to extract it. To learn about the root canal procedure, see Root Canal.
Cracked Tooth FAQs
Discover more about treating tooth damage, including a cracked tooth, at Complete Dentistry For All Ages. We answer your questions about cracked teeth so that you are fully aware of your treatment options.
What happens if you leave a cracked tooth untreated?
We highly recommend that patients see their dentist as soon as possible if they have a cracked tooth. Having a cracked tooth can cause extreme discomfort and pain, that may become unbearable. A cracked tooth can also break from the pressure and is known to decay at an exponentially faster rate than a non-cracked tooth. Ultimately if a cracked tooth is not treated in time, it can lead to the loss of the tooth entirely.
Does a cracked tooth show up on an x-ray?
X-rays normally do not show if a tooth is cracked. It only shows big and wide cracks, that tend to look like shadows. The best way to tell if a tooth is cracked is to use a special dye that stains the tooth. It will show the dentist any cracks based on the staining.
Is a cracked tooth painful?
Cracked teeth can be painful. It is typically reported to be the most painful when biting or applying pressure to the tooth. Patients with a cracked tooth also report pain and sensitivity with hot and cold drinks and foods. Pain from a cracked tooth can be intermittent. Some patients may experience no pain depending on the location of the crack.
Contact Our Office Today
Request a dental consultation at Complete Dentistry For All Ages on our website. You may also call our dental office for an appointment at 859-251-3809.