What To Do if You Have a Cracked Tooth

Different factors can cause a cracked tooth, and regardless of whether it’s a minor or more severe break, this condition requires immediate attention to protect the area, prevent further damage, and ensure optimal oral health.

If you have a cracked tooth, it has likely affected your quality of life, your dental health, and your ability to eat. We can design the right treatment plan to repair and restore your tooth to a normal condition and help you live pain-free.

What if You Have a Cracked Tooth

If you have a cracked tooth, the first step is to seek out a dentist who is skilled and experienced in restorative dental care, offers a variety of treatment options to repair the damage, and ensures the most aesthetic and long-lasting results.

At Cornerstone Dental, we will evaluate the fracture, determine its severity, and recommend the right treatment protocol. We’ll also answer any questions about the treatment, the payment process, and what to expect during and after your appointment.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Those with a cracked tooth have the option of different forms of restorative dental care to treat the condition. We use the latest technology and most advanced techniques to ensure the best dental and cosmetic results.

Those who have sustained a crack in one or more teeth will have the option of composite resins, porcelain dental crowns, veneers, and dental implants to repair the fracture. All of these treatment options will also improve dental aesthetics and help you feel more confident in the appearance and condition of your teeth.

Porcelain Dental Crowns

Crowns provide an effective solution for a cracked tooth. They cover the entire tooth to hide the fracture, protect and strengthen the tooth, and address cosmetic issues. We use porcelain dental crowns to repair fractured teeth to ensure the most natural-looking results.

One of the benefits of a porcelain crown is that it resembles a natural tooth, and the color can be matched to the shade of your teeth. Porcelain crowns are durable and long-lasting and will address the break in both the front and back teeth.

Veneers

Veneers, made of porcelain or composite resin, are another solution for treating a cracked tooth. They are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth. While they are primarily meant for aesthetic purposes and cosmetic enhancement, they can also conceal fractures and cracks in one or more teeth to improve the appearance and help prevent future damage.

If you’re interested in veneers to address a cracked tooth, the first step is an initial consultation to ensure that this option will adequately address the fracture, protect the tooth from future damage, and help you achieve your desired results.

Composite Resin

Composite resin is a form of dental bonding that can repair a cracked tooth through a minimally invasive treatment process. Not only does it address the fracture, but it will also improve the smile. The first step is matching the composite resin with the natural color of your teeth to ensure seamless results.

Nest is to prep the tooth by making the surface rough enough to apply the conditioned liquid to prepare the tooth for the resin application. After that, the resin will be smoothed and molded to the cracked tooth to create the proper shape. The last step is to use a light to bond the resin to the tooth’s surface and polish and shape the tooth to ensure the most natural-looking results.

Dental Implants

While dental implants are primarily meant to replace missing teeth, they can also meet the needs of those with a severe crack. A dental implant is effective if the crack extends into the tooth’s root and can’t be repaired with other treatment options. Patients must meet certain requirements to qualify for an implant.

They must have healthy gums and enough jawbone tissue to support the implant. If you’re interested in this treatment method to repair a cracked tooth, the first step is an initial consultation with your dentist to confirm your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes a Tooth To Crack?

Many different factors contribute to a cracked tooth. For some, cracks in a tooth happen due to age and often affect those 50 or older. Regular gum chewing, chewing on ice, and biting very hard foods like hard candy or popcorn kernels can also cause a tooth to crack.

Additionally, tooth trauma during an accident, such as a fall or sports injury, can also cause a fracture. Patients who regularly grind their teeth and those with weak teeth who have undergone a root canal or have large-sized dental fillings are at an increased risk of a cracked tooth.

What Kind of Symptoms Accompany a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth often results in symptoms that negatively impact the quality of life, cause pain and discomfort, and prevent patients from eating and chewing normally. Common symptoms include sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling of the gums, a toothache that intensifies while chewing or biting, and intermittent pain in the tooth. If you’re suffering from these symptoms, seek out dental care so that you can address the fracture and live pain-free.

Will I Have To Plan Around Downtime After My Dental Treatment?

Downtime after a treatment to repair a cracked tooth varies based on the treatment plan and dentist’s recommendation. You can rest assured that you’ll receive complete aftercare instructions to follow after your treatment to ensure optimal results. If you have any questions or concerns after your treatment, our staff will be available to discuss them with you and help you feel confident about the results of your treatment.

What Kind of Dental Experience Should I Expect?

At Cornerstone Dental, you can expect a comfortable, patient-centered experience. We aim to provide every patient with the most energetic and professional dental healthcare.

We serve the community with high-quality dental services and uphold exemplary standards, professionalism, integrity, and ethics. We also provide treatment options for patients who suffer from dental anxiety to ensure the best dental experience possible.

Am I a Good Candidate for Restorative Dentistry?

If you have a cracked tooth that’s causing you pain or making you feel self-conscious about your smile and your dental health, we have a solution to repair the fracture and help you look and feel your best. The first step is the initial consultation to confirm your treatment eligibility, learn more about the treatment options, and then choose the right option for you with the guidance of our experienced dentists.

There is a solution that will repair your cracked tooth, and you don’t have to let it affect your smile, confidence, or quality of life any longer than it already has.

Are You Living With A Cracked Tooth In The Martinsburg Area?

If you are living with a cracked tooth you should speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.

Share this article:
Recent Posts
Can Dental Implants Fail? Causes, Signs, and Prevention Strategies Explained
Dental Implants After Tooth Loss: How Soon Is Too Soon?
Emergency Dental Tips for Tooth Injury
Kids’ Dental Emergencies: Quick Guide for Parents
Are Adult Braces Worth It? Your Essential Guide to Benefits, Costs, and Options
How to Maintain Your Bright Smile After Teeth Whitening
Categories
Dental Moments
Cornerstone News
Cornerstone Health

You may also like:

Can Dental Implants Fail? Causes, Signs, and Prevention Strategies Explained

Dental Implants After Tooth Loss: How Soon Is Too Soon?

Emergency Dental Tips for Tooth Injury

Kids’ Dental Emergencies: Quick Guide for Parents

Are Adult Braces Worth It? Your Essential Guide to Benefits, Costs, and Options

How to Maintain Your Bright Smile After Teeth Whitening

At-Home vs. In-Office Teeth Whitening: Which Professional Whitening Method Works Best for You?

Braces vs. Clear Aligners: Which Is Better for Straightening Teeth?