Cracked Teeth and Extractions
All dental injuries are challenging, especially if sudden and unexpected. A cracked tooth could negatively affect your smile. When it cracks, it could cause immediate sensitivity, depending on the severity.
A frequent question is whether to extract a cracked tooth. Your dentist will only conduct a tooth extraction as a last resort when the tooth is beyond repair.
The severity of the crack will determine the best treatment, and it is wrong to consider that extraction is the viable treatment for a crack without an evaluation of the situation.
What to Expect from your Dentist with a Cracked Tooth Appointment
When a tooth does crack, you are likely to experience some increased tooth sensitivity. You might also experience some throbbing pain while chewing and experience some sensitivity with temperatures changes. If the sensitivity persists, you should see your dentist soon.
At your appointment, you can expect your dentist to do the following:
- To review and understand your current state of oral health and assess any current adverse conditions.
- Evaluate the size of the crack or fracture in the tooth.
- Determine if the tooth has decayed.
- Confirm any symptoms of gum disease or infections.
Before performing the chosen treatment, there are some prerequisites as part of your examination.
Here are common solutions 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 indeed minor, meaning the crack is not affecting your gums, or the crack is not severe or the tooth shows any signs of decay, your dentist may consider a root canal treatment. A root canal is a common choice if the exterior of the tooth can be saved. There are many misconceptions of a root canal, such as a root canal is painful. A root canal is not painful and saves the tooth and preserves your oral health.
The dentist removes the infection from the tooth by emptying the pulp chamber, then filling the chamber and the roots with a rubbery-like filling, and then sealing the tooth. A crown is often placed on the tooth to protect it.
Tooth Extraction- Even though your overall oral health is positive, if the crack in the tooth is significant, like being cracked into two pieces, or the tooth is decayed or you have gum disease, your dentist will suggest a tooth extraction.
To extract the cracked tooth, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the immediate area and then break the tooth into pieces. The dentist uses forceps to gently remove the pieces from the socket. Recovery aftercare requires adequate rest for a couple of days until a blood clot forms.
Dental Crown- A dental crown can be fitted to protect the crack in the tooth from becoming worse. A crack may 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 surface of the tooth.
A dental crown can always be placed for further protection, and to improve the appearance.