Cracked Teeth & Extractions
Cracks in the teeth are a pretty common occurrence and happen in varying degrees. Craze lines are a minor crack that only affect the hard, outer enamel of the tooth and do not require treatment. Other cracks that may happen as a result of accident or injury can run deep into the tooth or beyond the gum line can lead to tooth extraction.
When should I see my dentist?
Some patients may not feel any pain or sensitivity with a minor crack but still need to have the tooth checked as soon as possible. If you experience an injury to the mouth, maybe from a car accident or physical activities, you should see your dentist even if nothing hurts and you cannot see anything wrong. The root can be affected or crack and can only be diagnosed by your dentist with an x-ray.
It can still be hard to diagnose with x-rays but your dentist will have other diagnostic tests at their disposal to help identify any possible cracks. Symptoms of a cracked tooth may include pain and temperature sensitivity. With more severe cracks, patients may feel a throbbing in the tooth when they chew.
How is a cracked tooth treated?
Minor cracks can often be restored with composite bonding which is a tooth colored material that fills the crack and is smoothed to blend with the rest of the tooth. Larger cracks may require a crown or veneer to restore the tooth.
Crowns and veneers are made from porcelain and while the process is the same for both, veneers are much thinner than crowns and only cover the front of the tooth. Crowns cover the entire tooth and are a bit thicker.
In some instances, a crack can lead to an infection within the tooth at which point you may need a root canal. A root canal clears out infected pulp from within the canals of the root and relieves pain almost immediately. The pulp contains the nerves and blood supply for each tooth and when the tissue becomes infected, it can lead to severe pain and even other medical issues if bacteria from the infected tooth gets into the bloodstream.
When does a cracked tooth get extracted?
Extracting a tooth is only done when there is no other treatment that will save the tooth. It is important for patients to keep as many of their natural teeth as possible, as long as they are healthy. When a tooth cracks below the gum line, extraction may be the best option.
If you have to have a tooth extracted, your dentist will help you decide what restoration will best suit your lifestyle. An individual tooth can be replaced with a bridge or dental implant. If you are interested in a dental implant, you may be able to have the implant placed on the same day as the extraction.
No matter how minor a cracked tooth is, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage and possible tooth loss.