Your tooth’s enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. That doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged, however. Signs of a crack include sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages and pain while chewing or biting done.
You may not be able to see the crack, but these symptoms tell you it’s there and needs treatment. At the office of Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, we evaluate symptoms that suggest a cracked tooth and repair it using the most advanced technology and techniques.
In some cases, your cracked tooth shows no symptoms, but can still allow bacteria to enter and lead to long-term oral health concerns. This is why visiting our office for regular check-ups is so important. We can detect one that you can’t see or feel, but that requires early intervention to help you save the tooth.
Underneath your tooth’s enamel, the top white layer that gives your teeth their pearly white appearance, is the dentin, a hard yellow layer that protects the very insides — the pulp.
The pulp is where all the nerves and blood vessels live. When you damage or crack those protective outer layers of your teeth, bacteria enters, and the pulp becomes irritated and painful.
In many cases. Dr. Nance can save your cracked tooth. It depends a lot on the crack’s location, its severity, and type.
Cracked tooth types include:
These are quite shallow and generally don’t need any treatment at all. They only affect the enamel and can barely be seen. This is the only type of crack you can ignore.
This type of crack occurs when you have a large filling that eventually breaks from years of repeated pressure. Dr. Nance determines whether your filling needs to be replaced or if a crown is a better solution. Either way, he can generally save your tooth.
Vertical cracks that don’t extend below your gumline can usually be saved. Dr. Nance can treat this type of crack with an implant, a crown, or even a root canal, allowing you to keep your natural tooth.
If you have a below-the-gumline crack or one that extends below your gums, there’s little chance of saving that tooth. Also known as a split crack, it means the tooth is fully separated into two sections.
If a cracked tooth is allowed to progress, it can turn into a split tooth. The crack has distinct segments separated by the crack. The position and severity of the crack determine whether it can be saved.
If your cracked tooth can be saved, Dr. Nance determines the right treatment for the type and severity of the crack.
If your tooth has a very shallow crack, Dr. Nance may bond it with plastic resin. Not only does this seal the crack, it restores the look of your tooth and allows you to chew normally.
Crowns top off your tooth with a cap, usually made of porcelain. A crown covers your cracked tooth to keep it from getting worse.
When a crack has reached the pulp inside your tooth, your best option is a root canal. A root canal is not painful; it’s the symptoms prior to getting one that gives the procedure a bad reputation. Dr. Nance makes a small hole in the top of your cracked tooth and cleans out any decayed and infected material, rinses it clean, fills it, then tops it with a crown.
In cases where a crack has led to dire infection, you may require an extraction. Though not desirable, it’s much better than letting an infected or decayed tooth stay in place and cause further damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Dr. Nance then can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant that looks and functions just like your real tooth.
If you have symptoms that suggest a cracked tooth, call us today at Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA to schedule an appointment or book one online. The sooner you seek intervention, the better chance you have of avoiding complications and saving your tooth.
