What can be done for a cracked tooth?

Your dentist can place a new filling or crown over the damaged tooth to protect it. If you've cracked a tooth and breathing through your mouth or drinking cold fluids is painful, bite on clean, moist gauze or cloth to help relieve symptoms until reaching your dentist's office.

How do they fix a cracked tooth?

If you have chipped off just a small piece of tooth enamel, your dentist may repair the damage with a filling. If the repair is to a front tooth or can be seen when you smile, your dentist will likely use a procedure called bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin.

Can a cracked tooth be treated?

While a crack can be repaired, a cracked tooth will never be 100 percent healed, unlike a broken bone might be. But prompt treatment offers the best chance of saving your tooth and preventing infection and further damage. And while your mouth may be sore after the treatment, the pain should subside in a few days.

How serious is a cracked tooth?

If they are not treated, cracked teeth can lead to the death of the nerve, and an abscess might grow. The tooth could need root canal treatment or even taking out. In severe cases the tooth can actually split in two. If this happens your dentist will not be able to save the tooth and it will need to be taken out.

Should you fix a cracked tooth?

All degrees of a crack can be classified under the diagnosis of "Cracked Tooth Syndrome." Typically a cracked tooth will require more invasive treatment than a chipped tooth. If the crack extends beyond the surface of the tooth, we may suggest a root canal and then place a crown to cover the entire tooth.

Understanding Cracked Tooth Treatment and Symptoms

Does a cracked tooth need a crown?

If a tooth is cracked, it is a serious condition and does usually require a crown. Unlike a broken bone, the fracture in a cracked tooth will not heal. Vertical cracks that travel to the gumline may require a full-coverage crown.

Does a cracked tooth need a root canal?

The most common cause of front-tooth fracture is trauma or physical injury. For fractures where the tooth pulp is not affected, a root canal will not be necessary, except if patients show signs of pulpitis (pulp infection). If the pulp gets exposed due to breakage, a root canal will certainly be necessary.

What happens if you ignore a cracked tooth?

A cracked tooth is a perfect nesting ground for bacteria. If left untreated, a buildup of bacteria increases the risk of infection or abscess. An abscess is an infection that develops deep inside the tooth. Often, an abscess results in the tooth creating pus, swelling, and a severe toothache.

What happens if you leave a cracked tooth untreated?

Leaving a cracked tooth untreated can cause the pulp and other tissues inside to get infected. Once this happens, the chance of losing the tooth increases. Do know that the sooner proper measures are performed, the more chances of preventing the further progression of the crack, alleviating pain, and saving the tooth.

Can I leave a cracked tooth alone?

Even if your broken tooth doesn't hurt, you shouldn't leave it untreated. There could be many more severe underlying issues that you are at increased risk of. One of the most alarming possible side effects of a broken tooth is that food detritus can get trapped inside, leading to bad infections.

When does a cracked tooth need to be extracted?

If the crack has extended into the pulp, the tooth can be treated with a root canal procedure and a crown to protect the crack from spreading. However, if the crack extends below the gum line, it is no longer treatable, and the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted.

How much does it cost to fix a cracked tooth?

Bonding a tooth might cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, and the total cost might depend on how much work needs to be done on a tooth. A filling might cost anywhere from $90 to $500.

When can a tooth not be saved?

However, saving your tooth is not always possible. If your tooth is cracked or broken due to trauma, especially below the gum line, there may not be any way to preserve the tooth.

Is there an alternative to getting a crown?

Veneers. Dental veneers, also commonly called porcelain veneers, are an alternative to dental crowns, however they are only used for teeth that are located in the front of the mouth. Because veneers are made using thin shells of porcelain, they end up being a better option for the front teeth.

Can a dentist put a crown on a broken tooth?

Dental crowns are the only option for repairing a broken or severely damaged tooth that cannot be fixed with veneers, onlays or fillings. If the broken tooth is at the risk of falling apart, the crown will reinforce the tooth and hold it in place. They are the most effective way to protect against infection.

Can a badly broken tooth be saved?

If a tiny piece of enamel or filling has chipped off, you may only need a new filling or some bonding material to restore the chipped portion. If only a small piece of your tooth broke off, your dental professional might be able to protect the remainder of the tooth with a crown or filling.

How long can I go with a cracked tooth?

Ideally, patients should schedule a visit to have the cracked tooth treated within a few days after the crack occurs and no more than two weeks after the incident. If symptoms begin to worsen, an emergency visit to the dentist for immediate care is most likely necessary.

Why does my broken tooth not hurt?

For many people, pain drives them to the dental chair with a tooth injury. However, a cracked or chipped tooth doesn't always hurt. If the break in your tooth doesn't reach the pulp—the innermost part of the tooth which contains the tooth's nerve endings—it likely won't hurt.

Can a cracked tooth be filled?

Small cracks in teeth can be repaired by either a dental filling or veneer. The dental filling is the most chosen option as it can be applied during one visit and is more affordable. A veneer offers more support than a filling but will cost more and will require a follow-up visit for its application.

Why is a cracked tooth so painful?

A cracked tooth hurts because beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin is the soft pulp of the tooth. When your tooth is cracked, chewing can cause movement of the pieces and may irritate the pulp. If this continues, the pulp may become so damaged that it will not be able to heal itself.

Can antibiotics help a cracked tooth?

Although antibiotics may help clear up a tooth infection, they are only one part of the solution. Most tooth infections require a dental procedure, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, to completely clear up. Prompt treatment is important to keep the infection from spreading.

What is worse a crown or root canal?

After the root canal procedure, a dental crown is needed to strengthen and protect the tooth from further damage. However, if a dental crown is placed on a decayed tooth, the decay can worsen and spread, leading to further complications.

Why is a crown better than a filling?

When properly placed by an experienced dentist, crowns are much stronger than fillings and less likely to come loose and require repairs. More natural function. With a crown, normal chewing function is restored. Fillings can alter the shape of the tooth and negatively impact chewing.

Is it better to save a tooth or pull it?

Saving your tooth is always preferred but there are circumstances in which you have no choice but to extract it. If the tooth is cracked, especially below the gum line or in more than one place, there may be no way to save it. If it is too weak to be fixed, it may be best to pull it out.

Is it worth saving a tooth?

Some things, like your natural teeth, are truly worth the effort to take care of and preserve. And most Americans agree. A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists revealed that over 95% of Americans believe it's important to save your natural teeth.