Perhaps you were using your teeth to remove a bottle top. Or maybe you were crunching into a piece of ice left at the bottom of your drink, and you cracked a tooth. No matter how it happened, you now need some form of tooth crack repair.
Despite tooth enamel being the strongest substance in our bodies, it still has its limits. Chipped and cracked teeth are some of the most common dental injuries, and here at No Gaps Dental, we regularly see and treat them with our various dental services such as dental crowns, dental bonding, and many more..
Symptoms of a cracked tooth
Identifying a cracked tooth yourself can sometimes be challenging. A vertical hairline crack may be invisible to the naked eye, and on occasions, these cracks are so small that an x-ray doesn’t reveal them either.
However, here are a few warning signs that indicate you may have a cracked tooth:
- Tooth pain when you bite or chew – this may only occur when you eat certain foods
- Sporadic tooth pain
- Increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Infection
The type of treatment you receive for a cracked tooth will vary depending on the extent of the damage. Cracks or fractures in the teeth can affect the dental structure in different ways.
Tooth structure explained
Teeth comprise of several layers. The hard outer protective covering that is visible when you open your mouth is the tooth enamel. The layer immediately beneath this is the cementum – a bony layer of connective tissue. The dentin is the inner portion covered by both the enamel and the cementum. And the tooth pulp is at the centre of the tooth and contains a network of nerves and vessels.
Tooth crack repair – 6 procedures
There is no one-size-fits-all repair for cracked teeth since individual cases require different approaches. Procedures to fix a cracked tooth include dental bonding, dental crowns, root canals, extraction, bridges and dental implants. You can find out more about them below.
Dental bonding
Provided the break is just in the enamel, dental bonding is the easiest way to fix a cracked tooth. Dental bonding is a simple procedure whereby the dentist performs an invisible repair by applying tooth-coloured composite resin over the tooth’s front surface. A special light hardens the resin, restoring the tooth to its former glory.
Dental crowns
If the crack has descended into the cementum and dentin below the gum line, additional pressure when you bite could cause the break to become bigger. Placing a dental crown on the tooth can prevent this from happening.
Dental crowns are hollow porcelain shells that fit over a tooth, covering it from top to bottom for those who may not know. They are ideal for tooth crack repair because they are permanent and can last up to 15 years or more. Tooth crowns are custom made for a tooth and repair cracks, fractures and breaks.
Dental crowns don’t just repair a cracked tooth and restore strength. They also restore aesthetics and bite functionality. And, because dental crowns are available in different materials, such as porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-porcelain, zirconia, and even gold, a dentist can help you choose the best material depending on the location of the damaged tooth and your budget.
Root canals
In some cases, a crack or fracture can extend into the pulp at the centre of the tooth. Once it reaches this point, there is a likelihood of infection. Typically, a dentist will treat the infected pulp with a root canal. The root canals are cleaned out and flushed through by the dentist with sodium hypochlorite. The infection is treated with antibiotics, and then the canals are sealed to prevent the infection from recurring. Root canals can leave a cracked tooth weak, so many dentists cover them with tooth crowns several weeks later.
Extraction
There are instances when repairing a cracked tooth is nigh on impossible or even too risky. We, dentists, hate to extract teeth unless it is a necessity, and unfortunately, there is no other option in these circumstances.
Now, we know what you’re thinking – the cracked tooth is now a missing tooth. But don’t worry, we have other procedures we can call on to replace the missing tooth.
Bridges
Our dentists can cement a bridge onto the neighbouring teeth when a tooth is missing using tooth crowns for support.
The artificial tooth or dental crown is fused between two dental crowns to fill the gap left by the extracted tooth and rests lightly on the gums. Again, the bridge can be made from various materials to match the patient’s tooth colour and anatomy.
Implants
Missing teeth can lower self-esteem and make a person feel too embarrassed to smile. Implants have fast become the go-to treatment to replace missing teeth and look, feel and act just like natural teeth.
Final thoughts
Regardless of the diagnosis and treatment for a cracked tooth, putting off tooth crack repair will only make matters worse. Complications, such as cracks that get more prominent, infection, and pain can make the experience very unpleasant.
Ultimately, seeking tooth crack repair with a No Gaps Dental dentist is the best option. We have 15 clinics scattered around the Sydney Metro, all with modern facilities, the latest technologies, and highly experienced caring dentists. Contact us today on (02) 8806 0227 if you suspect you may have a cracked tooth or teeth.
In addition to the cracked tooth repair options mentioned above, we are pleased to offer patients the latest CEREC same-day dental crowns. As the name suggests, they can be designed, milled and fitted in-house in just a single appointment.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.