How to Fix a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth is never fun, and it’s important to get it fixed. As we get older, our teeth tend to have little lines and cracks, and while at first, they may seem concerning, usually they’re craze lines, cracks in the tooth enamel, which is limited to the outer layer of where the tooth is, and these develop over time via normal wear and tear, and typically, they aren’t’ serious so long as they don’t penetrate the dentin.
There are some however who are confused and think a cracked tooth may require treatment, but if there are tiny vertical lines, chances are they’re not so bad. A good rule to live by is if it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t need treatment. You might notice pain and sensitivity when chewing and biting food, and it will hurt all the time, especially around the gums if the tooth is loose. There are different types of cracked teeth and depending on the depth of the damage, you might need certain treatment based on the situation. Treatment can be as simple as a crown to even require a full removal of the tooth. If you notice a sensitivity when biting or chewing food, and it is important that you take the time to educate yourself between a chipped tooth and a cracked tooth. Dentists can detect a chip with the use of an explorer, and they might detect by feeling. If it’s superficial, it won’t need treatment.
A cracked tooth is more common on the back teeth where you do most of the chewing. All types of cracks are classified under the diagnosis of something called “cracked tooth syndrome.” typically, when a tooth is cracked it will need invasive treatment, and if it extends beyond the tooth, you might need a root canal and a cover. If it’s not severe, you will need a dental crown to cover the damage. For moderate severe, you’ll need a root canal and then a crown as well. For the most severe, you might need an extraction, with a dental plant placed on top.
For chipped teeth, it is mostly in the front, and people worry about aesthetics than the functionality. Treatment is something you can get fixed in a day, where the site is cleaned and then a tooth-colored filling is put on top. It will make the restoration look seamless, and you can even match materials perfectly so that when you smile, it looks like you didn’t even have work. The extent of the damage and the position of the chip might affect when you bite down o harder foods, so you should make sure that you are careful.
And there you have it. Cracks, chips, and small crazes are something that all dentists have to work with, and if you’ve been curious about what’s what, then here you are, and you’ll be able to figure out if you need this from your dentist so you can have a restored smile.
