5 Dental Procedures to Repair Cracked or Broken Tooth
Maybe you cracked or broke your tooth while eating hard candy or nuts. Perhaps you were hit in the mouth playing sports. If you have a cracked or broken tooth, there’s no need to worry. Your dentist can repair it using one of several dental procedures.
Some types of dental surgery, like full mouth dental implants, might be necessary for severe cases. This provides a permanent solution to several missing teeth. But for less severe cases, a few dental procedures can still be used to repair cracked or broken teeth.
Why Do People Get Cracked or Broken Tooth?
There are many reasons why you might have a cracked or broken tooth. It could be due to an injury, chewing on hard objects, or even just aging. Whatever the reason, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. A cracked or broken tooth can lead to infection, pain, and other serious problems.
Typically, cracked teeth are categorized as follows:
- Craze Lines: These are tiny cracks in the enamel that don’t go through the tooth. Craze lines are common and usually don’t cause any problems.
- Fractured Cusp: This type of fracture affects the tooth’s chewing surface. It’s usually caused by biting down on something hard. Treatment involves placing a crown or other restoration on the tooth.
- Split Tooth: A split tooth is a fracture that goes through the tooth down to the root. Treatment involves a root canal followed by a crown.
- Cracked Tooth: A cracked tooth is a fracture that goes part of the way through the tooth. Treatment will depend on the severity of the crack. For a small crack, a filling might be all that’s needed. For a larger crack, you might need a crown or other restoration.
- Vertical Root Fracture: This type of fracture runs vertically down the tooth’s root. It’s usually caused by gum disease or injury. Treatment usually involves a root canal followed by a crown.
Dental Treatment Options for Broken or Cracked Tooth
Depending on the severity of your crack or break, you might need one or more of these dental procedures to repair it:
1. Dental Implant
A dental implant is used to replace a missing tooth. An artificial tooth (crown) is attached to a metal post surgically implanted in the jawbone. Dental implants are usually only an option for adults because the jawbone needs to be fully developed.
2. Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is used to fill a gap left by a missing tooth. The artificial tooth is attached to two dental crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap.
3. Dental Crown
A dental crown is used to restore a cracked or broken tooth. It’s also used to cover a dental implant or discolored tooth and the crown is made to match the color of your natural teeth.
4. Root Canal
A root canal is used to treat a tooth damaged by decay or injury. The damaged tissue is removed and the tooth is sealed. A crown usually follows this procedure.
5. Veneers
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored pieces of porcelain bonded to the front of the teeth. They repair cracked or chipped teeth, gaps between teeth, and other cosmetic problems.
If you have a cracked or broken tooth, you must see a dentist as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the problem, you might need one or more of these dental procedures to repair it.
