Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth can reduce your confidence in your smile and lead to severe oral health issues if left untreated. Types of cracked teeth include the following:

Fractured cusps
Hairline fractures
Split tooth
Vertical fractures
Vertical root fractures

A crack in your tooth weakens it, increasing the risk of further cracks or part of the tooth breaking off. Cracks can also pave the way for tooth decay and infections, leading to the need for tooth extraction or root canal therapy. Prompt treatment is ideal because there is a better chance your dentist can save your tooth and help you prevent the need for other oral health treatments.

What Causes Teeth To Crack?

There are many reasons you may have a cracked tooth, including the following:

Age: Your teeth wear down with use and exposure to things that weaken them, such as acidic foods. As you age, your risk of cracking a tooth increases.
Biting too hard: Biting down too hard can cause your teeth to chip or crack.
Bruxism: Bruxism refers to actions involving your teeth or jaw that can harm your teeth. Severe grinding, for example, can wear down tooth enamel, resulting in a cracked or chipped tooth.
Cavities: Cavities are holes or cracks in your teeth. Left untreated, damage can spread, causing additional cracks.
Diet: Acidic foods and beverages aren’t the only foods that put you at risk of cracking a tooth. Eating hard foods, such as nuts, can cause teeth to crack.
Trauma: Facial trauma can cause a tooth to crack.

When Is A Cracked Tooth A Dental Emergency?

Sometimes, a cracked tooth is a dental emergency requiring immediate treatment. In this scenario, you must find a 24-hour dentist near you to provide immediate treatment. Your cracked tooth may be a dental emergency if you any of the following apply:

Facial trauma caused a cracked tooth
Pain when your tooth cracks
The pain is worsening
The tooth is sensitive, or the sensitivity is increasing

When in doubt, it’s best to seek immediate dental care.

How To Fix A Cracked Tooth

You may wonder, “Can a cracked split tooth be repaired?” And, if so, how your dentist can fix it.

Treatment options depend on the crack’s placement and severity. Your dentist will examine the tooth. They may opt to take X-rays, particularly if the reason for the crack is unclear. It’s possible for impacted wisdom teeth to cause cracks or other damage to neighboring teeth, so X-rays can confirm that wisdom teeth caused the crack or rule out impacted wisdom teeth as the source of the problem. X-rays may also provide more information about the severity of the damage, ensuring your dentist recommends the most effective treatment options.

Your dentist will also examine your gums to determine if you have inflamed gums and use a periodontal probe to measure bone loss.

Treatment options for a cracked tooth include the following:

Dental bonding: Dental bonding involves applying a bonding substance that matches your tooth’s color to the crack.
Dental crown: Dental crowns cover your tooth. They’re a protective barrier that prevents people from seeing the crack, strengthens your teeth, and prevents infections.
Fillings: Fillings are inserted into the crack to help restore the tooth’s strength and prevent infections.
Porcelain veneers: Dental veneers are similar to crowns but only cover the front of your cracked tooth. They improve your appearance and make the tooth stronger.
Root canal therapy: Your dentist will remove the infected tooth pulp if an infection has spread.
Tooth extraction: You may need your tooth extracted if the crack is severe. After a tooth extraction, your dentist may recommend replacing your missing tooth with dentures, bridges, or dental implants.

Preventing A Cracked Tooth

While there may be nothing you can do to prevent a car accident or another emergency that causes a cracked tooth, there are some causes you may be able to prevent. Suppose you exhibit symptoms of bruxism. If you grind your teeth when you’re asleep, you may be able to prevent damage by wearing a nightguard.

Although aging is a fact of life, there are things you can do to reduce the wear and tear on your teeth. Avoiding hard foods that can cause cracks is one way to protect your teeth. You can also avoid acidic foods to prevent erosion.

Part of your preventative strategy can involve eating foods that help strengthen your teeth and prevent cracks. Calcium and phosphorus consumption helps strengthen your teeth. Excellent sources of calcium and phosphorus include milk, yogurt, and cheese.

What Hours Is URBN Dental Open?

URBN Dental is open during regular office hours, Monday through Saturday.

Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Can I See A Doctor Now For A Cracked Tooth?

You can visit your Houston dental office Monday through Saturday during our office hours. We keep slots open for walk-in patients with dental emergencies. You can also speak to our on-call dentist after hours by calling 832-743-2989. One of our dentists is available 24 hours a day.

URBN Dental Can Fix Your Cracked Tooth Now

Our team of dental care experts will deliver superior care. We’ll use our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to comprehensively examine the crack and related oral health issues, ensuring we deliver the treatment you need to restore your oral health and prevent additional breaks or infections. We will explain the options for treating your cracked tooth and provide the individualized care you need to save, protect, or replace your tooth.

Sources:

Acidic Foods And How They Affect Your Teeth. (2023).

Bruxism. (2024).

Is Milk Good For Your Teeth? (2023).

URBN Dental Services in Houston, TX