Cracked Teeth

A broken tooth is known as a cracked tooth, and there are several ways by which teeth cracks. Some of them are:

Cracked tooth: This occurs when there is a crack on your tooth. This crack usually runs from the surface of the tooth down to the root. In some cases, the crack can even go down below the gum line and into the root. This won’t split the root into two parts, but it would damage the inner tissues of the tooth.

Split tooth: This occurs when a cracked tooth is left untreated. The tooth will split into two parts. This crack can start in the root and go up towards the surface of the tooth.

Cracked cusp: The pointed part of the tooth located on the biting surface is called the cusp. The tooth will break if the cusp is damaged. This will cause a sharp pain whenever you bite with the tooth.

Craze lines: These are tiny cracks on your teeth, but in this case, they affect only the outer enamel. This is common in most adult teeth, but it does not cause any pain.

Even though they are painless, craze lines still have to be treated.

Causes OfCracked Tooth

Many factors can make a tooth crack, and some of them are:

• Excessive grinding of the teeth while sleeping. This puts enormous pressure on your teeth and destroys your enamel.
• Sudden changes in the temperature of your mouth. That is why it is not advisable to take in foods or drinks of extreme temperatures.
• Large fillings weaken the teeth
• Gum disease – it leads to bone loss and increases the risks of root fractures.
• Biting or chewing on something hard. For instance, ice, meat bones, fruit stones, and boiled sweets.
• A heavy blow to the lower jaw or chin

Whatever the cause might be, do ensure you visit us in London to get properly diagnosed and sort for a suitable treatment option.

How to Know If You Have Cracked Tooth

It can be quite difficult to tell if you have cracked tooth because the signs are difficult to spot and the symptoms vary. One of the ways to tell is when you have pains from time to time when chewing and biting. This happens especially when you release the biting pressure.

Extreme temperatures, especially cold, can cause aches and discomforts. You might also be sensitive to sweetness if you have a cracked tooth.

A small region of the gum around the cracked tooth might swell up. You can take pain relievers if the pain is too much but always ask your doctor if you can take painkillers if you are on other medications or herbs.

Reasons Why Cracks Don’t Show on X-rays

Cracked tooth don’t show on X-rays sometimes because the X-ray beam must be parallel to the crack on the tooth before it can penetrate it. However, some cracks can show up; this includes vertical root fracture. It can be evident if the crack has been there long enough.

Vertical bone loss near the root can also be seen. Another way your dentist can check for cracks is to use a magnifying glass or a bright light. He/she might also use a special dye to follow the path of the crack.

Do I Need Treatment?

It is highly important to treat all kinds of cracked tooth, including the craze lines that seem harmless. Immediately you get a cracked tooth, go to a dentist for advice, this will make the treatment effective.

The nerve of the affected tooth or teeth can die if the cracked tooth is not treated. An abscess can even grow. A root canal treatment might be required to treat it, or the affected tooth would be extracted. In severe cases, your tooth will be split in two and in this case, it would be extracted because there is nothing the dentist can do to save it.

If you notice that you have a cracked tooth, don’t hesitate to visit us in London to get a suitable treatment option for your dental condition. Our dental experts are readily available to provide dental care.

Does Treatment Involve Tooth Loss?

In some cases, the affected tooth would be removed, but this is not always the case. Removing the tooth is the last option.

However, it is important to get professional advice as soon as you notice your tooth is cracked. Do call us on 020 71830755 today,

How Cracked Teeth Are Fixed

There are several ways to treat a cracked tooth, and the treatment that would be used for you depends on the severity of the damage to the tooth.

Your dentist will tell you the best treatment method that suits your case. Below are some of the treatment methods for a cracked tooth.

Crowns

These are used for cases where veneers can’t be used. A crown is fitted over the leftover of a broken tooth— this gives it the appearance of a real tooth, and it also makes it strong. If the crack caused nerve damage in the tooth and it becomes infected, a root canal would be carried out first before the crown is fixed.

In the root canal treatment, all the infection from the root canal is removed, the root is cleaned and filled to prevent further infections. Then a crown would be fitted on the tooth to give it support.

Bonding

In this method, a plastic resin is used to fill the crack. This is used to repair small chip off the edge of your tooth used for biting. This method also restores the shape of the tooth.

Veneers

A veneer is a thin layer of plastic material or plastics that are made to fit over the surface of the front teeth. Veneers are used to treat cracked tooth when there is a fair amount of the tooth remaining. This method needs the least amount of tooth to be removed, and it is long-lasting.

Cosmetic contouring

This method is carried out when the chip is very small. The dentist will shape and polish the round edges of the affected tooth to conceal the crack.

Does the Tooth Heal Completely After Treatment?

This is not the same with broken bones — a broken tooth does not heal completely. In some cases, the cracked tooth might get worse after treatment, and you might still lose the tooth.

However, you must seek proper treatment because most cracked teeth can work normally for years after they have been treated. Your dentist will be in the best place to tell you more about your particular problem and recommend the treatment that suits your case best.

How to Prevent Your Teeth From Cracking

There are some steps you can take to protect your teeth against cracks.

• Don’t bite or chew hard objects
• If you grind your teeth at night while you sleep, wear a mouthguard.
• If you engage in contact sports, then you have to get a mouthguard and use it always.

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

The cost of treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the type of treatment your dentist recommends and thinks it’s best for you. If there are complications and you need more treatment, the cost might be higher.

You can request a treatment plan, and written estimate from us at Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in London before the treatment starts.

Contact us today or visit us in London. Our team of expert dentists will be happy to proffera solution to your dental condition and help you get back your life.