Is It Possible to Save Cracked Teeth?

A Cracked Tooth is More Common than You Might Think

You are brushing your teeth and sense an odd pain. You look in the mirror and alarmingly notice a hairline break in a tooth. Just how did this happen? Cracks happen for a variety of reasons, but the good news is this is not necessarily the end of the tooth. At times, a crack can be treated without the need for extracting or a major dental procedure.

Treatment Will Depend on the Severity of the Cracked Tooth

The key to being able to save a cracked tooth is just how deep or severe the crack runs. For instance, if it is only a surface crack, nothing at all may need to be done and the tooth can be left alone. If the crack runs a bit deeper but is still considered minor, it may require bonding or a filling to repair. Even if the damage runs deeper, the tooth can still be saved with a cap.

A broken tooth is somewhat common, especially for back teeth. Many people have problems properly brushing this area of the mouth and decay is almost inevitable. In the early years, this may be addressed with a filling. However, as time passes and the neglect continues, decay becomes more severe and a piece of the tooth can actually break off. If the pulp of the tooth is still not affected, though, a cap may still work. If it is more severe, a procedure such as root canal may be necessary.

Problems begin to arise when the crack in the tooth extends below the gum line. This can require a procedure such as root canal, as we mentioned above, or some type of minor oral surgery. Again, though, this will depend on the actual condition of the root of the tooth itself. If there is significant decay, even performing these procedures can do nothing to save the tooth. In these severe cases, the dentist will more than likely recommend extraction as the best solution.

Preventing Problems from Cracked Teeth

So, how can you avoid a root canal or extraction? Prevention and regular maintenance of your teeth. Amazingly, it does not take a lot to prevent problems such as this. In addition to proper daily flossing and brushing, everyone should see their dentist every six months. This not only provides proper oral care, it is also enough time to catch problems in the early stages instead of allowing a small crack to fester and lead to something as major as an extraction or root canal.

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