Solutions To Common Dental Problems
Broken or Cracked Teeth
If you have broken or cracked teeth, prompt dental attention is essential.
A crack or break in your tooth can lead to significant pain and discomfort, affecting your ability to chew and can alter your eating habits. Despite the temporary relief that pain medication may provide, it is important to have the break or crack checked out by a dentist.
Furthermore, broken or cracked teeth poses the risk of damaging the tooth nerve, potentially requiring additional treatment to save the tooth.
Seeking timely intervention is vital to prevent:
- Bacteria from entering the tooth nerve
- Further damage to the tooth
- The tooth from cutting your cheek or tongue
The extent and type of crack, along with the affected tooth or teeth, determine the diagnosis and treatment. Minor cracks with minimal pain may need no treatment, only ongoing monitoring. However, extensive cracks can lead to a broken tooth that a dentist cannot save.
If you experience severe pain, tenderness, discomfort, or sensitivity, schedule a dentist appointment promptly. Early intervention prevents complications and safeguards dental health.
Types of Tooth Breaks and Tooth Cracks
Your tooth can crack from biting into a hard object, prolonged pressure exerted due to grinding your teeth (bruxism), suffering an injury or trauma to the mouth or from the wear and tear of old age.
The most common types of cracks include:
Fractured:
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- Fractured cusp -A fractured cusp happens when the tooth's chewing surface breaks off. These cracks often extend to or beyond the gum line and are common in teeth with large fillings. Affected teeth may become sensitive to hot and cold. Treatment options include a new filling, a crown, or root canal treatment if the pulp is exposed.
- Vertical root fractures -Vertical root fractures are fractures that extend vertically from the tooth's root up to the chewing surface. Rarely accompanied by pain, these cracks can remain unknown for extended periods. Usually, these occur in teeth that have had root canal treatment. The most common result is the extraction of the tooth.
Line:
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- Craze line - These are tiny, painless cracks that appear in the tooth enamel or surface. They usually don't require treatment. Typically vertical and barely visible, the dentist examines these lines to ensure they don't extend beyond the enamel.
Cracks
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- Cracks that extend from the crown of the tooth to the gum line typically don't split the tooth and can be saved. These cracks usually impact the tooth's pulp. To protect the sensitive internal areas, a dentist may recommend root canal treatment. If the damage is too severe to save the tooth, extraction may be necessary.
Split
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- Split tooth - This crack extends from the root to the surface, splitting the tooth in half. As a result, extraction is usually necessary. In some cases, when the split occurs in molar teeth, the dentist can save the tooth. The damaged half is extracted, and the remaining side undergoes root canal treatment. Finally, the dentist caps the tooth with a crown to protect the remaining structure.
FAQs About Broken Or Cracked Teeth
Pain may arise when the tooth nerve undergoes trauma, which leads to exposure (or near-exposure) to the oral environment. Without the protective covering of the tooth structure, the nerve becomes susceptible to bacteria in the mouth. As a result, you may experience sensitivity to temperature changes, including those caused by various foods and drinks.
Wondering how to care for your broken or cracked tooth? Here are some essential steps:
- Avoid hot and cold foods and drinks: Steer clear of temperature extremes that can trigger discomfort or worsen the condition of your broken or cracked tooth.
- Avoid hard foods: Refrain from consuming hard foods that could potentially exacerbate the damage to your tooth.
- Avoid chewing on the affected side: Minimize pressure on the broken or cracked tooth by avoiding chewing on the side where it is located.
- Attend the dentist as soon as possible: Seek prompt dental attention to address the issue and prevent further complications.
You may be wondering about treatment options for your broken or cracked tooth? Consider the following possibilities:
- Cover the underlying tooth surface: The primary objective is to shield the exposed or damaged tooth surface, promoting comfort and alleviating pain. Additionally, this approach enables monitoring of the tooth nerve if required.
- Individualised treatment: Your specific circumstances and the extent of the damage help determine the most suitable treatment. This personalised approach is discussed with you during your initial appointment. This is to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your condition and the options available to you.
Treatment of Broken or Cracked Teeth
The severity of the break determines the treatment options for a broken or cracked tooth. If a piece of enamel chips or breaks away, a dentist can often fix it with a simple filling in just one visit.
The location of the tooth determines the materials used. For visible teeth, such as front ones, dentists often use composite resin for a more natural look. When bonded to your tooth, this tooth-coloured material blends, making the break or crack nearly invisible.
If you experience a more complex or extensive break, treating the cracked tooth may require a more involved and costly procedure. Depending on the damage to your tooth and mouth, treatment may also take multiple appointments.
Treatment Options
Treatment options
The options for these treatments include:
- filling or bonding – The dentist applies an adhesive material to the tooth and shapes it to match your natural tooth’s shape, size, and colour.
- dental crown or cap – In cases of extensive cracks or breaks that lead to decay and the removal of a portion of the tooth, a cap or crown can be a solution to save and protect the tooth.
- dental veneer – If a front tooth is damaged, a dentist may recommend a veneer. The dentist bonds it to the tooth’s surface, covering the crack and restoring its appearance.
- root canal treatment – For large cracks or breaks that expose the pulp which may lead to infection or disease, a dentist may recommend root canal treatment. The dentist cleans, fills, and seals the roots to prevent further bacterial damage. Then, they place a crown over the tooth for protection.
If the tooth is broken but the root remains intact, a dentist may recommend root canal treatment. The dentist inserts a post into the canal and builds it up to support a crown.
📅 Book an appointment today to discuss broken or cracked teeth and preventative dental care. Call us on (08) 8268 5422 or request an appointment online today!
