Everyone hopes to never be in the situation of having a cracked tooth. Fortunately, if you find yourself in need of dental care to fix a cracked tooth, your dentist has several go-to ways of getting your tooth back to full functionality. Depending on the severity of the crack, many easy solutions exist to eliminate potential pain and aesthetically repair the broken tooth.

Types of cracks in teeth

If you notice tiny lines in your teeth and you have no pain or sensitivity, it is possible that the small cracks are only superficial and are in no need of treatment.

If you have tiny, visible cracks in your teeth and you have some pain or discomfort, it is possible that these cracks have extended deeper into the tooth, into the second layer called the dentin, and are in need of treatment. A filling can be applied in some cases, while other situations may be in need of esthetic bonding. This will not only hide the imperfection but it will also seal the crack so bacteria won’t get in and the dentin won’t be susceptible to sensitivity from hot and cold drinks and foods.

If the crack is moderate in severity, your dentist may want to place a crown over the entire tooth to protect it from becoming worse when you chew. The crack will be thoroughly cleaned and the crown will be placed on top, completely concealing the tooth. You can get porcelain or ceramic crowns that will blend it and look more natural than metal or metallic alloy crowns.

If the crack extends deeper into the tooth, through the dentin layer, and into the pulp, a root canal may need to be performed to remove the damaged pulp and clean out the likely-infected tissue. After the root canal, your dentist will then place a crown over the tooth to protect it from further infection and damage.

In severe cracked tooth cases where the crack goes down to the gumline, the entire tooth may need to be removed altogether. Having a dental implant put in to replace the extracted tooth can be done for aesthetic purposes as well as return your mouth to be fully functional.

In many cases of a cracked tooth, the procedure to repair the tooth is no more than a local anesthetic and the same amount of dental work your dentist would do for a cavity. Putting off repairing a cracked tooth will likely result in the situation becoming worse and more painful. You can even get an infection in the crack that can lead to fever, bad breath, swollen gums, and persistent, nagging pain. There are too many easy solutions for a cracked tooth to delay it or put yourself through unnecessary pain. If you have a cracked tooth and need dental care, call Dental Remedies in St. Augustine, FL for the best care.