A cracked tooth can feel like a big deal, and it’s normal to wonder if it means that your tooth has to come out. The good news? Not every cracked tooth needs to be pulled.
In many cases, a dentist can save the tooth with restorative treatments like bonding, a crown, or root canal therapy. However, if the damage runs too deep, especially if it extends below the gum line, extraction might be the safest option to protect your overall oral health.
The key is timing. The sooner you have a cracked tooth checked out, the more options you have to save it.
How to Tell If You Have a Cracked Tooth
If something feels “off” with your tooth, don’t ignore it. Your smile might be trying to tell you something. Some of the common signs of a cracked tooth include:
- Pain while chewing: If you notice a sharp, unpredictable pain when biting down, especially on release, this could point to a crack in the tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold: Discomfort from temperature changes, like sipping hot coffee or eating ice cream—might mean there’s a crack affecting the inner layers of your tooth.
- Swelling or inflammation: Puffiness around the gum or ongoing tenderness may be your body’s way of reacting to hidden damage or infection.
What Kind of Crack Are We Dealing With?
Not all cracked teeth are created equal. Understanding what kind of tooth fracture you have can help you know what to expect.
- Craze lines: These are tiny surface cracks in the outer enamel. They’re usually harmless and don’t require treatment, so they’re more of a cosmetic concern than a medical one.
- Fractured cusp: This happens when a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, often near a filling. It’s typically painless and can often be repaired with a crown.
- Cracked tooth: A crack that runs from the chewing surface down toward the root. This is an issue that needs attention, fast. The sooner it’s treated, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
- Split tooth: A tooth that’s broken into two distinct parts. This usually starts as a cracked tooth, but likely went untreated. Treatment can be more complex, but it’s not always hopeless.
- Vertical root fracture: These cracks begin at the root and travel upward. They’re tricky, as they don’t always show symptoms early on, but they can lead to infection or bone loss over time.
What Affects Your Treatment Plan?
When it comes to treating a cracked tooth, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your dentist will look at a few key factors before recommending the next step:
- Severity: How deep or long the crack is can make all the difference. Surface cracks might be easy to manage, but deeper ones may need more involved care.
- Location: Cracks that are easy to reach are generally simpler to fix. If the damage extends below the gum line, treatment can be a bit more complex.
- Your overall dental health: The health of the tooth itself and the surrounding gums and teeth are all important considerations.
How Cracked Teeth Are Treated
Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on how serious the damage is. The good news is that there are options. Here’s how your dentist might approach things:
- Dental bonding or filling: For smaller cracks, a simple fix like bonding or a filling can restore the tooth’s shape and function.
- Dental crown: If the crack is a bit more serious, a crown can cover and protect the tooth, keeping bacteria out and preventing the damage from spreading.
- Root canal therapy: When a crack reaches the pulp (the soft inner tissue), a root canal can help save the tooth and stop pain or infection in its tracks.
- Tooth extraction: If the damage is too severe to repair, removing the tooth might be the healthiest option. Your dentist can walk you through replacement options like implants or bridges.
When Removing a Cracked Tooth Makes Sense
Sometimes, the right move is to say goodbye to a tooth, especially when keeping it could lead to bigger problems. Your dentist might recommend extraction in cases like:
- Damage that can’t be fixed: If the crack extends below the gum line, saving the tooth may no longer be possible.
- High risk of infection: A deep crack can expose the tooth’s inner tissue (the pulp) to bacteria, leading to infection that could spread to nearby bone and gum.
- Threat to neighbouring teeth: In some cases, removing the damaged tooth helps protect the surrounding teeth from further stress or shifting.
Keeping Cracks Away: Prevention Tips That Work
What’s the right way to deal with a cracked tooth? With a few smart habits, you can help keep your smile strong and problem-free.
- Stay on top of dental checkups: Regular visits help catch issues early, before they turn into something bigger (and more expensive).
- Stick to solid oral hygiene: Brushing twice a day and flossing daily goes a long way in keeping your teeth strong and decay-free.
- Kick crack-causing habits: Chewing on ice, biting hard candies, or using your teeth as tools (we see you!) can all lead to fractures. If you play contact sports, a custom mouthguard is also a must.
Early Care Makes All the Difference
A cracked tooth isn’t something you can (or should) diagnose on your own. Even if the pain comes and goes, it’s still worth getting your tooth checked out. Some cracks can be treated with simple, tooth-saving solutions, but the longer you wait, the fewer options you might have.
At Cool Dental, we’re here to help you protect your smile with the right care at the right time. Whether you need a small repair or something more involved, we’ll walk you through every step, with comfort, clarity, and zero judgment.
Book your dental exam today and let’s keep that crack from turning into something bigger.
Are you ready for a new dental experience?
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- Phone: (403) 382-2273
- Email: [email protected]
- 1917 Mayor Magrath Dr S #10
- Lethbridge, AB T1K 2R8
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All Services Provided By General Dentists