Unfortunately, there is no way to treat a cracked tooth at home, so if you suspect your tooth is cracked, you will need to set up an appointment with your dentist. Below are a few potential cracked tooth issues and their treatment options.
First, your dentist will assess the damage to your tooth’s nerve. If the root is damaged, you will likely have to receive a root canal in order to remove it. Even if your tooth doesn’t hurt immediately, the nerve inside the tooth may become damaged over time if it is not removed. If the root is undamaged, treatment will vary according to the type of tooth fracture.
A split tooth is one that has split vertically, like a piece of firewood. In order to save the tooth, your dentist will remove damaged roots with a root canal, and cover the tooth with a crown. If the tooth is still painful, it may require an extraction, and then a tooth implant to replace the lost tooth.
Minor chips usually do not require treatment, but you may want to repair a chipped tooth for cosmetic reasons. Filling material can be added, polished, and smoothed to restore the tooth’s original appearance.
The cusps of the teeth are the pointed chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. Since cusp breaks usually do not affect the tooth’s root, they typically do not cause much pain. However, you may want to repair the damage to restore the tooth’s shape and ensure easier chewing. Sometimes a crown will be required.
Also called “craze lines”, these minor surface cracks only affect the surface enamel of the tooth. Oftentimes, they do not require treatment at all, so your dentist may only polish the area to smooth out any roughness.
If you have a cracked, split, chipped or crazed tooth and need a dentist in Charlotte NC, call Park Cedar Dentistry. Our Charlotte dentistry has provided premier dental care for over 30 years. To set up an appointment, click here.
