Cracked Teeth and Extractions
Any type of dental injury is challenging, especially when it is sudden and unexpected. A cracked tooth might negatively impact your smile. When it cracks, it can also cause immediate sensitivity, depending on the severity.
A frequent question asked is whether to extract a cracked tooth. Your dentist will only perform a tooth extraction as a last resort when the tooth is significantly beyond repair.
The seriousness of the crack will determine the best treatment, and it is wrong to consider that extraction is the necessary treatment for a crack without evaluating the situation.
What to Expect from your Dentist with a Cracked Tooth Appointment
When a tooth cracks, you are most likely to experience some increased tooth sensitivity. You could also experience some throbbing pain when chewing and experience sensitivity with temperatures changes. If the sensitivity persists, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.
With your appointment, you can expect your dentist to do the following:
- To both review and understand your current state of oral health, including assessing any current adverse conditions.
- Evaluate the size of the crack in the tooth.
- Determine if the tooth has any decay.
- Confirm any signs of gum disease or infections.
Before conducting the chosen treatment, these are some prerequisites as part of an examination.
Here are common treatments that will be considered based on the severity of the crack in the tooth.
Root Canal- If your oral health is normal and the crack is minor, which means the crack is not impacting your gums, and the crack is not severe or the tooth shows signs of decay, your dentist might consider a root canal treatment. Root canal is a primary choice if the exterior of the tooth can be saved. There are misconceptions of a root canal, like that a root canal is painful. A root canal is not painful and is designed to save the tooth and preserve your oral health.
The dentist will remove the infection from the tooth by cleaning the pulp chamber, then filling the chamber and the roots with a rubbery filling, and then sealing the tooth. A crown is usually placed on the tooth to protect it.
Tooth Extraction- Even though your overall oral health might be positive, if the crack in the tooth is indeed significant, like being cracked into two pieces, or the tooth is severely decayed and you have gum disease, your dentist will consider a tooth extraction.
To extract a cracked tooth, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the immediate area and then break the tooth into smaller pieces. The dentist will use forceps to gently remove the tooth pieces from the socket. Aftercare requires adequate rest for a few days until a blood clot forms.
Dental Crown- A dental crown can be placed to protect the crack in the tooth from becoming any worse. A crack might be so minor where it is not even visible to the naked eye, and the crack is known as a craze line, which is a tiny crack in the outer layer of the tooth.
A dental crown can always be fitted for further protection, and to enhance the appearance.