Ways to Get a Cracked Tooth Fixed

The cracks on the teeth can occur as we age. These cracks can also be called “craze lines”. The craze lines are actually cracks in the tooth enamel and they remain limited to the superficial outer layer of the teeth. The major reason for their development is the normal wear and tear of the teeth. If craze lines do not penetrate the inner layer called dentin, you do not have much to worry about.

Seeing a crack on the teeth can be frightening if you are concerned about your dental health. In this situation, you will need to see if those cracks are vertical. If it is the case, you do not have to worry about the crack because it may not require any treatment as long as you are not feeling any pain.

On the other hand, there may be sensitivity pain in the tooth which has the crack. The severe conditions involve consistent pain. Depending upon the types of teeth, types of crack and depth of the crack, your dentist may suggest a treatment to fix the crack. The treatment can be as simple as crowning of the tooth if the damage is not that bigger. However, the severe damage to the internal layers and jawbone can lead to the dentist making a decision about removing the tooth.

One thing worth mentioning here is that there is a difference between a crack and a chip. The chip can be detected with the help of a special tool called explorer. You can also detect a chip with the help of your tongue. You will be able to feel the roughness on the surface of the tooth if there is a chip. If the chip is not detectable with the help of explorer, you don’t need to worry about it because it will not require any treatment.

Difference between a cracked tooth and a chipped tooth

Majority of cracked appear in the back teeth where the chewing of the foods happens. All types of cracks can be defined as “Cracked Tooth Syndrome”. Typically, a cracked tooth requires more invasive treatment as compared to a chipped tooth. If the crack is deeper, dentist may suggest a root canal treatment which involves removal of the infected nerves from the innermost chamber of the tooth. After the removal of infected pulp, the tooth is sealed and is covered by a crown. If there is an even severer case, the dentist may choose to remove the tooth.

Chip on the tooth may seem like a bigger issue but it is not as serious as a crack. The chips mainly appear on the front teeth. There may only be an aesthetic concern about the chip of the tooth. The most suitable treatment for a chip on the front tooth is the application of dental veneers.

Whether it is a crack or a chip, you can get it fixed with the help of your dentist. While a minor chip or crack may not be a big deal but you need to visit the dentist to get the affected tooth checked.