Do You Have a Cracked Tooth? Facts You Should Know:
Although the teeth are incredibly strong structures, they can be subject to chips, cracks, and breaks that can result in severe pain and discomfort. Fortunately, your dentist can offer solutions for these types of tooth injury, so you should schedule an appointment as soon as irritating symptoms arise. Because a cracked tooth is not always visible above the gum line, it is important to be familiar with the signs that your tooth is injured.
- Pain in the tooth and surrounding area: Pain will tend to worsen when you bite down on the affected tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold: A crack in the tooth can expose the sensitive tooth pulp that will respond with sharp pain to temperature extremes. Cold tends to be worse than hot, but both can be the cause of sensitivity.
- Recent facial injury: Cracked teeth are often the result of impact to the tooth that could arise during sports or other physical activities. Even if the injury does not seem severe at the time, it could cause damage that you don’t see right away.
Treatment for cracked teeth
When you see the dentist with a suspected cracked tooth, X-rays will be taken to pinpoint the damage. There are several classifications for cracked teeth that are determined based on the depth and location of the fracture. In cases where the crack extends below the gum line, a root canal will be recommended to prevent the spread of infection to other areas and reduce sensation in the tooth. Surface cracks may be simply treated with a crown or filling to repair the enamel. If the crack is too severe for such repairs to be feasible, the tooth will be extracted and replaced with an implant or bridge.
Do not hesitate to seek treatment for your tooth pain; schedule a consultation with Redondo Beach Dental Group today by calling (310) 542-6988. We can relieve your toothache and help you build a healthier smile that lasts for life.
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