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Posted on 4/10/2019 by Water's Edge Dental |
 Teeth can crack for a variety of reasons. You may bite down into a hard piece of candy or suffer oral trauma when playing sports. The injury can leave you with a crack that needs to be corrected. There are several different types of cracks, and when diagnosing the problem is the first step to finding the right restorative option.Treating a Craze Line CrackA craze line fracture is the least concerning of all the dental cracks. These are tiny cracks that only affect the enamel of the teeth. They are quite common among adult teeth, but the good news is that they are quite shallow. For the most part, they don't require treatment, unless you are concerned about the aesthetic aspect.Treating a Fractured Tooth CuspA fractured tooth cusp results when a piece of the chewing surface breaks off, sometimes around a filling. The pulp usually isn't damaged, but you may need a crown or a filling to correct the damage and to protect the remainder of the tooth.Treating a Full CrackIf your tooth has a vertical crack that extends toward the root, treatment is a necessity. With time, the crack can extend, and if it reaches the pulp you may need a root canal and a crown. Unfortunately, if the crack extends below the gum line, treatment isn't possible, and the best thing to do is to extract the tooth. Then, you'll need to consider options like a bridge or dental implant to replace the tooth.Maintaining healthy teeth is one way to minimize the risk of cracks. Make sure that you never chew on any hard, non-food items, and if you clench or grind your teeth, call our office to discuss bruxism treatment. Always wear a mouth guard when playing sports, and keep up with your regular dental exams in our office. Call us today to set up your next appointment. |
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