Cutting Edge Technology

Cracked Teeth? Discover The Solutions

Published on July 22nd, 2019

A cracked tooth can happen from a couple of different things—whether you were chewing on hard foods, grinding your teeth at night, or even playing rough in a sporting match, a cracked tooth is something that should be brought to your dentist’s attention. As your endodontist in Chicago, we decided to break down cracked teeth and the remedies for them.

 

Causes

As mentioned above, teeth can crack from a variety of factors. Some issues leading to cracked teeth are:

  • Pressure from constant teeth grinding
  • Chewing or biting hard foods—ice, nuts, hard candy, popcorn kernels
  • Blows to the mouth from an accident, sporting injury, or fall

 

Types

The best way to avoid complications from a cracked tooth is to visit a professional and find out the cause of your tooth pain and what you can do to fix it. Cracked teeth can be painful, no matter the type you have. Some types of cracked teeth include:

  • Craze Lines: When you have cracks that are limited to the outer enamel of the tooth and rarely warrant concern.
  • Fractured Cusp: If a cusp is weakened and cannot withstand normal biting pressure, the tooth could fracture. See your endodontist in Chicago, as a fractured cusp can cause damage to the pulp.
  • Cracked Tooth: A cracked tooth originates at the chewing surface and can continue below the gum line. If a cracked tooth is not immediately looked at, it can result in a root canal treatment.
  • Split Tooth: A split tooth is noticeable through distinct segments. The extent and position of the damage, as well as the options available to see if the tooth can be salvaged.
  • Vertical Root Fractures: This is a crack that’s been left untreated, resulting in bone and gum infections. You’d most likely need endodontic surgery to save the tooth or get it completely extracted.

 

Remedies

The treatment options depend on the size of the crack, the location, the symptoms you display, and if the crack hits your gum line. Some treatment options include:

  • Bonding: Your dentist can use a plastic resin to fill the crack, restoring the look and function of your natural tooth.
  • Crown: This prosthetic device is usually made of porcelain or ceramic, fitting over the damaged tooth.
  • Root Canal: If the crack extends all the way into the pulp, your endodontist will recommend a root canal in order to remove the damaged pulp and restore the tooth.
  • Extraction: If the tooth structure and nerves and roots are damaged, removing the cracked tooth may be the only option.

 

As your endodontists in Chicago, we know a cracked tooth can be troublesome. Contact us today if you think your tooth needs to be looked at. If you have a dental emergency, call us at 312.356.4700 and there may be a chance we can save the damaged tooth.

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South Loop Dental Specialists

850 South Wabash, Suite 240
Chicago, IL 60605

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