How is a Cracked Tooth Handled?

Do you have a cracked tooth, but are unsure of how it will be handled by your dentist? If so, you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with an idea of how your dental provider will handle your cracked tooth before you arrive at his or her office. Minor surface cracks, also known as a craze lines, tend to be painless, and typically do not require treatment. This type of crack is the most common type of crack in tooth enamel.

A complete crack, on the other hand, may cause intense tooth pain and sensitivity when chewing or drinking hot or cold foods and liquids. In this case, your tooth’s fracture travels through your enamel and dentin to your tooth’s pulp. If your tooth has a severe crack (fracture), your dentist may refer you to an endodontist, who is adept at repairing various levels of tooth cracks. The way your cracked tooth is treated depends largely on the type, severity, and location of the crack. If you have a cracked tooth, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Listed below are ways that you dentist may handle your cracked tooth:

X-Rays

The first thing your dentist may do, if you have a cracked tooth, is X-ray your affected tooth, and nearby tissue and bone, to assess the condition of your gums and teeth, determine how the tooth was cracked, and evaluate the damage. If your dentist feels that you would be best served by seeing a dental specialist, he or she may refer you to an endodontist or oral surgeon. In some cases, your dentist or dental specialist may inject dye into your gums and your affected tooth in order to microscopically evaluate the crack, and its surrounding structures.

Tooth Filing

If your dentist or dental specialist has determined, from X-rays and observation, that you only have a minor crack, he or she may file down your cracked tooth, using specialized dental filing equipment, until it is even with the rest of your teeth. Tooth filing is only performed when there is no significant root damage.

Bonding

If your dentist or dental provider determines that tooth filing is not a suitable option, an alternative option may be to have your cracked tooth bonded. In other words, if your crack is superficial in nature, your dentist or dental specialist may decide to attach a veneer to your cracked tooth. During this dental procedure, your dental provider will use a substance, similar to the substance used to fill cavities, to repair your cracked tooth. The bonding material helps fill in any cracks so that your tooth looks like the rest of your teeth.

Crowning

Sometimes a cracked tooth cannot be successfully filed down or bonded. In those cases, your dentist or dental specialist may recommend “crowning” your tooth to protect it from further damage. “Crowning” is a type of “cap” placed over your tooth to prevent it from further cracking, and protect it from infections and decay. In addition, a crown repairs your cracked tooth by successfully concealing it.

Replacement

Lastly, if all else fails, your dentist or dental specialist may recommend tooth replacement. In this case, your tooth is damaged beyond repair and must be pulled and/or replaced with an artificial (false) tooth. It is important to note that extraction (replacement) is usually the last case scenario.

References:

Colgate. (2014). Fractured and broken teeth. Retrieved from http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Oral-and-Dental-Health-Basics/Dental-Emergencies/Dental-Emergencies/article/Fractured-and-Broken-Teeth.cvsp

Harvard Medical School: Family Health Guide. (2014). When teeth get damaged. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0605d.shtml