About 40 percent of people have experienced cracked or chipped teeth. The good news is that this is not as terrible as you might be expecting. There are a lot of treatment options, solutions, and ways to prevent cracked teeth. Keep reading this article to find out about available options for cracked teeth.
How do teeth get cracked?
Actually, some causes of cracked teeth might be surprising, for instance, passionate kissing or weight lifting. In fact, there are numerous ways that your teeth might crack. Certain activities that seem innocent can also lead to cracked teeth. These include shivering, munching on hard candy, or an overly greeting from your pet.
Although the enamel is the hardest tissue in your body, it might not be able to withstand things like high impact blows, tooth grinding, extremely hard bites, or falling. Teenagers usually get cracked teeth because of injury during sports activities.
Signs of cracked teeth
It's easy to notice a cracked tooth in your mouth. Signs of cracked teeth include:
- An irritated tongue
- Feeling a rough, uneven, or jagged edge on the tooth
- Pain when biting or putting pressure on the tooth
- An irritated gum around the tooth
- A sudden sensitivity to cold foods and beverages
9 Chipped or Cracked Tooth Treatments
Your family dentist is able to identify the dental options you need depending on certain factors. Keep in mind that it's impossible to completely assess your treatment options at home. Your doctor will choose the right procedure for you taking into account the size, location, and type of damage that has happened to the teeth. There are 9 treatment options for cracked teeth your doctor may offer.
1. Onlay
Onlay is used on molars that have major damage. Onlays are commonly made of porcelain or dental gold and, like a crown or veneer, they are created by a special lab. If the damage is significant enough, you may require a full crown.
2. Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure in which a resin material is applied and hardened with a special light to restore a cracked tooth. Your family dentist will imitate your natural tooth by using this material. This small and manageable repair is typically cost-effective.
3. Extraction and Dental Implant (TOOTH EXTRACTION PROCEDURE)
If you have dental issues after the repair of a cracked tooth, you might need a tooth extraction procedure and a dental implant in order to replace the cracked tooth.
4. Filling
This procedure is aimed to fill the hole or crack with special materials. Fortunately, this is completely painless. For more detailed information about this treatment option, talk to your family dentist.
5. Reattachment
Reattachment is performed rarely but it's still possible. The dentist will reattach the missing piece back onto the chipped or cracked tooth. This treatment option has been shown to be generally long-lasting with positive results over time. However, in most cases, it's impossible to reattach a tooth fragment.
6. Crown
Usually, getting a dental crown is performed due to significant damage. The crown is fitted to the top of the tooth to cover the missing enamel. The lifespan of a dental crown is between 5 to 15 years.
7. Reshaping
If the tooth damage is very small, it can be corrected by reshaping. Your dentist will smooth and polish the affected area. This is a simple, inexpensive, quick, and painless dental procedure.
8. Veneers
Veneers are another good option for cracked teeth. For a veneer, a small portion of the tooth will be smoothed away, and the dentist will send an impression away. Porcelain veneers are the most popular and effective option.
9. Root Canal Procedure
A root canal is also a possible option for cracked teeth since even a minor injury to the tooth can provoke infection that requires a root canal or extraction. This is an invasive procedure aimed to save you from the tooth loss and is usually accompanied by a crown.