Cracked Tooth Repair

Don’t Downplay the Dangers of a Cracked Tooth

Pain and sensitivity are common occurrences with cracked teeth; plus, the cosmetic changes to your smile can change the way you live your life. From your lunch plans to that important interview, a broken tooth can force you to put everything on hold. While cosmetic chips and cracks aren’t usually same-day urgent, a broken tooth is the kind of problem that needs treatment right away. Our general dentists carve out time in the day for dental emergencies like these.

So, how can you tell the difference? When should you see an emergency dentist for cracked tooth repair in Manhattan?

When Is a Broken Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Whether you need to see an emergency dentist or not will depend on your level of pain and bleeding as well as how badly the tooth is broken. Here are some general rules of thumb that might lead you to at least call and see if you should schedule a same-day appointment:

  • The bleeding is excessive
  • The pain is severe
  • Part or all of the tooth has fallen out
  • Part or all of the tooth is impacted (pushed farther into the gums)
  • The crack goes most or all of the way to the gum line

Your pain will be the most important indicator. A dentist can help you to get out of pain by treating the tooth and prescribing medication; however, broken teeth need fast intervention regardless. Cracks open the tooth to infection. The longer they are left unattended, the more of a risk they are to your health.

Common Causes of Cracked and Broken Teeth

There are many potential causes of tooth fractures. These may impact the severity of the break and your pain level. Here are some common causes:

  • A foreign object or hard food, such as pen caps or ice
  • An aging or badly fitted dental filling
  • Untreated dental decay
  • Age
  • Wear and tear from bruxism (teeth grinding)
  • Pressure from other erupting teeth, such as wisdom teeth

Treatments for Cracked Teeth

The treatment our dentist chooses for you will depend on how healthy the broken tooth is and the severity of the break. For example, chipped teeth rarely cause severe symptoms, so if the chip isn’t due to decay, we could repair the tooth with dental bonding.

Here are some other possible treatments:

  • Porcelain veneers. Best for cosmetic repairs. Veneers are permanently glued to the tooth’s surface to protect the natural tooth from harm and hide chips and cracks.
  • Dental crowns. Great for more severe cracks. Crowns cover the entire visible portion of the tooth using porcelain, metal, or a combination of both.
  • Dental fillings. Best for small cracks. We could use metal, amalgam, porcelain, or composite to seal the tooth back together and protect it from further damage.
  • Extraction and replacement. Badly broken teeth may be lost. To protect yourself from additional injury and infection, we can remove the tooth and replace it with an implant or a bridge (depending on the number of teeth lost and the health of your bone tissue).

In a worst-case scenario, one might need dental extraction and replacement with one of the following tooth replacement devices:

It’s important to note that sometimes a cracked tooth may not require treatment. If the crack is minimal and does not reach the inner tooth, cracked tooth repair may be unnecessary. Additionally, if the crack is in a tooth that is not easily visible and does not cause pain or discomfort, it may not require repair.

That said, it is essential to consult with a dental professional to determine if cracked tooth repair is necessary in your case. Therefore, don’t neglect any signs of damage and visit Greene Street Dental for the proper treatment.

How Do I Know If My Tooth Can Be Fixed?

Your dentist will be the best source of information on whether the tooth is fixable. You may be surprised at what modern dentistry can do! However, badly broken and badly decayed teeth may be too far gone for repair, and that’s okay. We have a range of restorative dentistry options that can keep your smile intact.

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