Effective Treatments for a Cracked Tooth

You can’t always see a cracked tooth. Some of the telltale signs of a cracked tooth include shooting pain and sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks. While some cracks are visible, even when it isn’t, the injury wreaks havoc with your nerve endings and causes severe pain. Cracked teeth don’t heal like broken bones. Early treatment is critical to save your tooth and preserve your dental health.

Our expert dentist, Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, provides thorough exams to evaluate your cracked tooth and identify the best treatment to restore and save your tooth. Our team provides state-of-the-art dental treatments and compassionate care to relieve your pain and protect your dental health. 

You should never ignore dental pain. Read on to learn more about cracked teeth and your treatment options. 

About a cracked tooth

Your tooth consists of a hard enamel shell that surrounds your dentin, a hard yellow center that protects the pulpy interior, nerves, and blood vessels in the center of your tooth. When you crack a tooth, it can expose the nerves inside your tooth and cause severe pain. 

Saving a cracked tooth

Depending on the severity of your crack, Dr. Nance should be able to save your tooth. There are four dental crack classifications:

Craze lines

Craze lines are shallow and often don’t need treatment. They only affect your enamel and aren’t usually visible. While these cracks might not need restorative treatment, you should still make an appointment if you have any symptoms of a cracked tooth. 

Fractured cusp

The cusp of your tooth is the visible part of your tooth. You can fracture a cusp in several ways. For example, if you have a very large filling, it can eventually break after years of repeated pressure. We can either repair your tooth or apply a crown, but we can usually preserve your tooth in these cases.  

Vertical cracks (above the gumline)

Vertical cracks above your gumline are usually treatable. Dr. Nance examines your tooth to determine the best treatment, such as a root canal or a crown, to preserve your tooth.  

Vertical cracks (below the gumline)

However, if your vertical crack extends below your gums, there’s little chance of saving that tooth. Also known as a split crack, a vertical crack breaks your tooth into two sections. 

Treatment is critical

Dr. Nance urges you to take cracked teeth seriously. Dental cracks can worsen over time, but if you come to him before the crack extends below the gumline, he can usually rescue it. Once the damage extends below the gums, there’s nothing to do but extract it and replace it with a dental implant.

We offer various dental treatments to repair cracked teeth:

Dental bonding

If your dental crack is shallow, Dr. Nance might recommend dental bonding. He uses composite resin to seal the crack. It restores the look of your tooth and allows you to chew normally. 

Dental crowns

A dental crown covers the visible portion of your tooth, providing protection and stability. If you have a severe crack or need a root canal, Dr. Nance can apply a dental crown to prevent your crack from getting worse. 

Root canal

If your dental crack reaches the pulpy interior of your tooth, Dr. Nance can perform a root canal to remove internal decay and seal your tooth to prevent infection. Advances in dental technology have made this scary-sounding treatment no more uncomfortable than a conventional filling. 

Extraction

Severely cracked teeth, including below-the-gumline vertical cracks, usually need to be extracted and replaced. Dr. Nance uses expert extraction techniques to minimize discomfort and can fit you with a custom-made dental implant to replace your tooth. 

If you have any dental pain or other signs of a cracked tooth, don’t delay dental care. Call our office or make an appointment online today.