Cracked Teeth & Extractions
All dental injuries are challenging, especially when they are sudden and unexpected. A cracked tooth might negatively impact your healthy smile. When it does crack, it might cause immediate sensitivity, depending on the severity of the crack.
A frequently asked question is whether to extract a cracked tooth. The dental industry is trained to do every possible to retain a natural tooth, conducting a tooth extraction as the last option when the tooth is beyond repair.
The severity of the crack will influence the best treatment, and it is basically wrong to consider that extraction is the necessary treatment for a crack without an evaluation.
What to Expect from your Dentist with a Cracked Tooth Appointment
When your tooth does crack, you are most likely to encounter some increased tooth sensitivity. You could also experience some throbbing while chewing and have some sensitivity to temperature changes. If the sensitivity persists, you need to see your dentist soon.
Before performing the appropriate treatment, there are prerequisites as part of your examination. At your appointment, you will expect your dentist to do the following:
- First, review and understand your current state of oral health, as a baseline, and assess any current adverse conditions.
- Evaluate the size of the crack in the tooth.
- Determine if there is any decay in the tooth.
- Confirm any possible symptoms of gum disease or infections.
Here are common solutions that will be considered based on the severity of the crack.
- Root Canal- If your oral health is considered normal and the crack is minor, which means the crack is not impacting your gums, or the crack is indeed minor and there are no signs of decay, your dentist might consider a root canal treatment. A root canal is a frequent choice if the structure of the tooth can be saved. There are several misconceptions about a root canal, such as it being painful. A root canal is not painful, saving the natural tooth and preserving your oral health.
The dentist removes any infection from the tooth by cleaning out the pulp chamber, then filling both the chamber and the roots with a rubbery-like substance and sealing the tooth. A crown is often placed to protect it.
- Dental Crown- A dental crown can be custom-fitted and placed to protect the crack in the tooth from becoming worse. A crack might be so small that it is not visible to the naked eye, which is called a craze line, and is a tiny crack in just the outer surface.
A dental crown can always be placed for both further protection and to improve appearance.
- Tooth Extraction- Even though your overall oral health is favorable, if the crack in the tooth is indeed significant, such as being cracked into two pieces, or there is decay or you have gum disease, your dentist might suggest a tooth extraction.
To perform the extraction, a local anesthetic is first administered to numb the immediate area. The dentist uses special forceps to gently remove the tooth or pieces from the socket. Recovery aftercare will require adequate rest for a few days so a blood clot can form.
Related Article: Can Cracked Tooth Be Saved?