Despite teeth being made of the strongest substance in the body, they can still end up being chipped or cracked. Whether its a sports injury or you chewed on hard food, damage to your teeth is not uncommon.
At Wellness Dental, we will restore your smile through pain-free treatment of your chipped or cracked tooth.
A cracked tooth is often the more serious of the two. Cracks can start at the gum line, damaging the tooth root and causing pain and discomfort.
The severity of chipped teeth depends on the size of the chip. Small chips can be fixed with some tooth filling, while bigger chips may require dental crowns.
In both cases, damage to your teeth may cause increased temperature sensitivity and pain while chewing.
If left untreated, cracked or chipped teeth can become painful and a major cause of discomfort. It may become difficult to eat or drink due to the increased temperature sensitivity.
It may also become a serious health concern, as pockets of bacteria can form within the tooth crack, spreading to other parts of the body.
For this reason, it is important to treat a broken tooth as soon as possible.
In minor cases, we will use a restoration to fix your broken tooth. In the case of an infection in the tooth crack, we may use a root canal treatment to clean and save your tooth. If tooth removal is necessary, we use the highest quality dental implants and bridge to replace your tooth, matching its size and colour. You won’t even be able to tell the difference!
Chipped and cracked teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, such as a fall or accident, grinding or clenching your teeth, biting down on hard objects or foods, or even natural wear and tear over time.
The symptoms of a chipped or cracked tooth can vary depending on the extent and location of the damage. Some common symptoms include pain when biting or chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, swelling or inflammation, and visible damage or roughness to the affected tooth.
The treatment for chipped and cracked teeth depends on the severity of the damage. In some cases, a filling or bonding material can be used to repair the tooth’s surface. In more severe cases, a crown or root canal may be necessary to prevent further damage or infection. In extreme cases, the tooth may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant.
While some causes of chipped and cracked teeth may be unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. For example, wearing a mouthguard while playing sports, avoiding biting down on hard objects or foods, and maintaining good oral hygiene habits can all help prevent tooth damage.
A chipped or cracked tooth may not always require immediate treatment, but it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. If you’re experiencing severe pain or swelling, or if your tooth has been knocked out or broken off entirely, seek emergency dental care right away.
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