The severity of a cracked tooth will determine whether your repair is superficial and cosmetic or more critical. The most important thing you can do after discovering a damaged tooth is to contact your dentist right away. Quickly repairing a cracked or broken tooth and restoring your smile is our top priority.
These step-by-step solutions for treating a cracked tooth will help to guide you through your entire dental emergency.
Regardless of how you cracked a tooth, the most important thing you can do afterward is to contact your dentist right away and schedule an emergency dental appointment. Only your dentist will be able to determine the extent of the damage. Diagnosing whether your crack is merely cosmetic or if a severe fracture occurred should be left to a professional.
We are typically able to accommodate same-day appointments for dental emergencies. However, until you can be seen, we advise patients to:
Rinse. Rinse the mouth with a warm saltwater rinse gently. One cup of tepid water mixed with a ½ teaspoon of salt will clean your teeth to help prevent infection.
Avoid Chewing. It is also recommended to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the cracked tooth is located.
Treat Any Pain or Discomfort. Over-The-Counter pain medications will help to alleviate any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing from a cracked tooth.
There are several treatment options for saving a cracked tooth. Depending on the severity of the damage, your repair may be superficial and cosmetic or more severe. Our team will carefully examine the crack and determine the best course of action for repairing the tooth.
Dental Bonding
Minor dental issues, including cracked or chipped teeth, can be addressed with dental bonding. Bonding is the ultimate solution for minor cosmetic issues. Your dentist can quickly and efficiently make adjustments to a tooth to regain any lost confidence in your smile.
Filling
Dental fillings are one of the most effective options for repairing a cracked or broken tooth. Dentists often use restorative filling material as a way of temporarily fixing teeth that have suffered decay, are broken, or need to be fixed. Dental fillings are a painless and cost-effective option for minor tooth repair.
Dental Sealant
Sealants can fix holes in the surface of a tooth while acting as a barrier against cavity-causing bacteria that leads to tooth damage. Often placed on the chewing surfaces of your back molars and premolars, sealants are a cost-effective way to repair a broken tooth.
CEREC Crown
Patients with a severely cracked tooth that is difficult to repair can look to CEREC dental crowns to hide the unsightly look of an individual tooth. CEREC crowns are milled in our own office, within the span of your appointment. You will only need to wait about 30 minutes after your tooth is prepared to have your permanent crown placed. Crowns are an excellent solution for correcting underlying problems, including fractured teeth.
Root Canal
For critical situations, root canal therapy may be the most beneficial repair option if bacteria have gained access to the inner portion of your tooth from the crack. During root canal therapy, any damaged or infected tissue will be removed, and your tooth will then be topped with a filling or CEREC crown. Not only does root canal therapy protect your tooth from additional damage, but the functionality of the tooth will also be completely restored.
If you have a cracked tooth, the most important thing you can do is not to delay treatment. Our Macomb dental office will do everything we can to save your tooth. Emergency appointments should be scheduled right away to avoid the risk of infection or further damage. Contact Hoffman Dental Care today with any questions regarding solutions for a cracked tooth.
