Here at Beetham Dentistry, we are proud to offer crowns to our patients. If you have missing or cracked teeth, you are probably not happy with your smile. We are here to help you feel better about your mouth so you enjoy showing it off.
A cracked tooth is an unpleasant ailment that can result from a variety of causes and factors. It can be extremely distressing or hardly noticeable. It is even possible to have a cracked tooth without knowing it! Unfortunately, an untreated cracked tooth can lead to complications down the line. Cracked teeth are one of the most common causes of tooth loss in the world. It is important to be able to identify and treat a cracked tooth. This will prevent tooth loss or decay.
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
The obvious symptom is seeing a noticeable crack in your tooth, but this will not always be the case. Here are some other symptoms which may indicate that you have an issue.
- Pain in your tooth when you are biting or chewing on something. This pain may be exaggerated as you release your bite.
- Intermittent pain in your tooth for no apparent reason. Generally, this will not be long-lasting or continual pain.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods, even more so than normal.
- Sensitivity to very sweet foods.
- Swelling of the gum around the tooth.
Treatment for a Cracked Tooth
Treatment for a cracked tooth will depend on the type of crack and the severity of the issue. Some treatments are quick and easy, while others are more involved and takes quite a bit of time.
Bonding
-
-
- With bonding, your dentist will simply fill your crack with a plastic resin. The tooth will look completely normal and have full functionality.
-
Crowns
-
-
- A crown is a dental prosthetic that is generally composed of porcelain or ceramic. The crown is placed over the top of the cracked tooth, like a cap. The dentist will first shave some enamel off of your tooth to make space for the crown. The crown is then cemented on your teeth and can last a lifetime if it is properly cared for.
-
Root Canal
-
-
- This is often a painful process that must be done if a crack is large enough to extend into your pulp. The dentist or oral surgeon will remove the pulp to help stop the pain and to prevent the tooth from becoming infected.
-
Extraction
-
-
- This is a worst-case scenario, which involves completely removing the tooth, and is only done when the structural integrity and nerves in your tooth have been completely destroyed.
-
No Treatment
-
- In some cases, a crack may be very tiny and inconsequential, causing no pain and not having any other complications. The dentist may choose to let this tooth be and simply advise that you monitor it for any changes.
Recovery
Recovery from a cracked tooth will depend on how extensive your treatment was. For minor cracks that were fixed by a crown or bonding, you will likely be back to normal almost immediately, if not in a day or two. Root canals and extractions may take a few more days to recover from, and you may have slight pain that will gradually subside. You can help yourself be eating softer foods until you feel that you are ready to resume normal eating habits.
One way we can do this is by offering crowns to our patients. A crown covers up a bad tooth so you have a natural-looking tooth that fits right into your mouth.
Crowns are also used to keep a filling in place when there is very little tooth left. They can also strengthen your regular teeth by giving them extra protection. If you have discolored teeth or teeth that are misshapen, a crown will help you have a smile of which you can be proud.
Crowns are attached right to your teeth so you will be able to do everything you can do with normal teeth. You can eat all of the foods you enjoy, no matter how hard it is to bite.
Many different types of crowns are available, so we will be happy to discuss your options so you can be happy with your new smile.
If you have any questions about crowns or think you may benefit from having one, don’t hesitate to contact our office today at (425) 825-8800.
