Cracked Tooth

If you have a crack in a tooth there are a variety of symptoms:

rough or jagged edges which are sharp and irritating on your tongue
which might include erratic pain when chewing
possibly when opening after biting
or pain when your tooth is exposed to temperature extremes

In many cases, the pain may come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth is causing the discomfort.

The treatment and outcome for your tooth depends on the type, location and extent of the crack. If you think you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to seek treatment quickly, before the problem gets worse. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing.

What are your treatment options?

The type of treatment depends on the amount of damage to the tooth. Your Dentist will give you advice about the best treatment for you, which might be one of the following options:

Cosmetic contouring: This is done when the chip is very small. The rough edges of the tooth are rounded and polished to blend away the crack.
Resin Fillings: This is when a resin (white filling) is used to fill the crack to restore the biting surface of the tooth
Veneers: These are ideal when there is still a fair amount of tooth remaining, because they are long lasting and need the least amount of tooth removing first. A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or resin material made to fit over the front surface of the tooth.
Crowns: These are used for a tooth that is not suitable for a veneer. A crown fits over what is left of the tooth, making it strong and giving it the appearance of a natural tooth. If the nerve has been damaged and becomes infected you may need to have root canal treatment first. This involves removing all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infections. The tooth would then be fitted with a crown to give it extra support.