Diagnosis and repair for cracked or fractured teeth
A cracked tooth can be tricky — the crack may be invisible to the eye and not even show up on X-rays, yet cause sharp pain when you bite down or sensitivity to temperature changes. Cracked teeth are common in adults and can range from minor cosmetic chips to deep fractures that threaten the tooth.
If you experience sharp pain when biting that comes and goes, sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold, pain that appears and disappears, or swelling of the gum around a tooth, see a dentist promptly. Early treatment of a cracked tooth can prevent it from worsening and save the tooth.
Treatment depends on the size and location of the crack. Options include dental bonding for minor chips, a crown to hold the tooth together, root canal if the crack extends into the pulp, or extraction for a severely split tooth. We can often provide same-day crowns using our advanced technology.
If you crack a tooth, acting quickly can make the difference between saving and losing it. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and numb the pain. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen — avoid aspirin, which can increase bleeding. If you can find the broken piece of tooth, store it in milk or saliva and bring it to your appointment, as it may be reattachable in some cases. Avoid chewing on the affected side, and stick to soft foods until you are seen. Do not apply any topical pain relievers directly to the gum near the crack, as these can damage the tissue. Contact Redwater Dental Clinic at 780-942-4691 immediately — a cracked tooth is a dental emergency that worsens rapidly if untreated.
Not all cracks are equal, and the type determines the treatment approach and prognosis. Craze lines are tiny, superficial cracks in the enamel that are extremely common in adults and typically require no treatment. A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the tooth's chewing surface breaks off, usually around a filling — this is generally painless and is repaired with a crown. A cracked tooth features a crack that extends from the chewing surface toward the root — if caught early, it can often be saved with a crown, but if the crack reaches the pulp, root canal therapy is needed first. A split tooth is a crack that has progressed completely through the tooth, dividing it into two segments — the tooth usually cannot be saved intact, though a portion may sometimes be preserved. A vertical root fracture starts at the root and extends upward, often showing minimal symptoms until infection develops, and typically requires extraction. At Redwater Dental Clinic, we use advanced imaging to accurately diagnose the type and extent of your crack.
Early treatment leads to better outcomes. Contact us today.
