What Should You Do About A Cracked Tooth?

What are some of the ways that you can treat a cracked tooth?

A cracked tooth is a tooth that has an incomplete crack where no part of a tooth is actually broken off. Because we cannot visualize the depth or the direction of these cracks, they’re very difficult to diagnose. Symptoms will vary, but one constant is pain. You may be able to stabilize a tooth with a core buildup and crown and minimize the flexing on the tooth, and that’s all the tooth may need. But, if the crack runs into the nerve of the tooth, it may warrant a root canal, and if the crack runs to the outside of the tooth, the tooth may ultimately be lost and tooth replacement might be needed.

If we feel that the crack is running into the nerve of the tooth, we’ll refer the patient to a root canal specialist to have the root canal done, which is usually done in one visit-very easy! Patients come back feeling good already, and then we will crown that tooth so we can maintain that tooth and keep it for the rest of its life.

The most important part of treating a cracked tooth is early diagnosis. The depth of a crack determines the restorability of the tooth. If you have a tooth that is sensitive when you chew or to any pressure, see your dentist today to have it examined.