Treating Cracked Teeth

Do you have a visible or suspected crack in your tooth? Diagnosing cracked teeth isn’t always as easy as you might think it is. The way they’re treated depends on the severity and location of the crack.

What is a Cracked Tooth?

The tooth enamel is considered to be the hardest part of the body. However, this doesn’t mean that it is invincible. There are instances where you can crack your tooth. A cracked tooth could refer to a chipped, cracked or broken tooth, and it could be a minor fracture or a visible chip.

Your teeth may get cracked due to reasons such as:

• Teeth clenching and grinding
• Chewing ice cubes or biting down on hard foods
• Injury or trauma to the mouth
• Age
• Tooth erosion
• Opening bottles or packaging using your teeth
• Old or large fillings that weaken the tooth structure

Cracks in teeth can be quite painful. The best way to find relief and treat cracked teeth is to visit our dental clinic. Remember, if a crack is caught early, it increases the chances of saving your tooth and preventing extensive and costly treatment.

Our dentists will then assess your mouth to locate the crack and determine its cause and type. After understanding the extent of the damage and getting a good idea of your symptoms, we will recommend suitable treatment options for you.

How is a Cracked Tooth Treated?

Bonding or Filling

“Craze lines” are a type of surface crack that doesn’t usually cause structural damage to your teeth, but you may notice them in the mirror (especially since they tend to pick up stains.) Small cracks like chipped enamel can be bonded or filled over if needed for aesthetic purposes.

Dental Crowns

Moderate cracks in your tooth can’t be patched over with a filling. Getting a crown will protect the tooth underneath, so that everyday pressure from biting and chewing doesn’t allow the crack to get any worse. We may need to remove some enamel from your tooth to accommodate the crown.

Root Canal Treatment

Deep cracks that extend further into the tooth allow bacteria to enter the nerve chamber, which can lead to an abscess. Covering the tooth with a filling or crown would seal in the infection and allow the crack to keep “running” down the tooth. Instead, a root canal can help hold things together while preventing a painful abscess.

During the root canal treatment, the infected or damaged pulp is removed. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned thoroughly and disinfected before being sealed to prevent further infection.

Extracting Your Tooth

Severe cracks that extend through the root of your tooth can cause pain every time you eat because of the uneven pressure when you chew. Since there’s not really a way to repair a tooth that’s split in two, it’s best to have the entire structure extracted. Doing so prevents trauma to surrounding bone and gum tissues.

After your tooth is removed, our Port Melbourne dentists can place an implant or bridge in the area to fill in the open space that’s left.

How To Prevent Cracked Teeth?

You can’t always avoid dental injuries that happen unexpectedly. However, you can lessen the risk of cracking teeth by making your teeth less susceptible to cracks. Here’s how:

• Improve your oral hygiene
• Avoid biting down on hard foods like nuts, seeds and ice
• Avoid using your mouth as a tool to open things
• Wear a custom-made mouthguard when playing contact sports
• Visit our clinic for regular dental check-ups
• Avoid clenching and grinding your teeth. If you do, get in touch with our dentists for teeth grinding treatment

Think You Have a Cracked Tooth?

Schedule an exam at PMD Dental Care if you have pain when you’re biting and chewing. Our Port Melbourne dentists are here to help you save your smile!