A cracked tooth is harmless, does not necessarily show any symptoms, and thus, does not require any treatment per se. This is known as cracked tooth syndrome (CTS). When a crack appears on your tooth, it is mostly harmless but can sometimes cause your tooth to split or break. If you experience a fractured tooth do not delay! Visit a dentist in Rutherford, NJ; they will know how to treat the tooth depending upon its severity and location.
You should visit a dentist to treat a dental issue. They may refer you to an endodontist who specializes in root issues and dental pulp. However, you can try these home remedies to get temporary relief.
- Use an ice pack/cold press on your mouth to prevent swelling
- Rinse with salt water to clean your teeth
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and pain
Causes of a cracked tooth
- Habits such as ice chewing or chewing gum
- Biting hard foods
- People above 50 may experience fractured teeth due to age factor
- Teeth grinding
- An existing filling that can hamper the rest of the teeth
When do you need dental treatment?
- Discomfort around gums that is hard to spot
- When you feel persistent pain while eating, especially while chewing or biting
- Sudden teeth sensitivity to sweet foods
- Sudden teeth sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Swollen gums around the cracked tooth
Some common treatments that dentists use for a cracked tooth
- Cosmetic contouring: It is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that shapes and polishes the broken tooth.
- Bonding: Dental bonding is a dental treatment in which plastic resin is used to treat the fracture.
- Crown: Crowns are prosthetic devices usually made from porcelain or ceramic. They cover or cap damaged teeth. This treatment is generally done when you don’t have enough natural teeth left for a veneer. Usually, the crown takes several weeks to return to your dentist. Once it has returned, it is fitted over the cracked tooth and cemented.
- Modern dentistry allows dentists to mill a porcelain crown on-site and place it on the same day. When properly cared for, crowns can last a lifetime.
- Extraction: When the roots and nerves of your tooth are severely damaged, the tooth is completely removed.
- Root Canal: If the damage extends into the pulp, your dentist or endodontist may recommend a root canal to remove and restore the tooth’s integrity. This procedure also prevents the tooth from weakening further.
- Veneer: When you have a significant part of the tooth left, thin covered plastic or porcelain goes over the front of the tooth.
Sometimes your doctor will not recommend you any treatment or repair. When your cracked tooth does not cause you pain, won’t affect your appearance, or is not very deep.