The severity of a cracked tooth often determines how a dentist goes about treating it. Minor cracks to a tooth only affect its outer layers, so there is rarely any pain involved. The damage is typically aesthetic, but treatment is still needed because the outer layer of a tooth being damaged leaves it more vulnerable to erosion.
More severe damage to a tooth can leave its inner layers compromised as well. At times, the damage opens up the pulp chamber, which contains the tooth's blood vessels and nerves. Such damage might be accompanied by pain and bleeding. It also leaves the tooth susceptible to infection. This type of severe damage to a tooth counts as a dental emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Teeth can become cracked due to:
When a tooth is damaged to the point that its nerve is damaged, a dentist can save it by performing a root canal. This procedure involves injecting the patient with a local anesthetic around the damaged tooth. A hole is drilled into it, and the dentist cleans out the blood vessels and nerve. They apply medication to the tooth before sealing it up with filling. Teeth that have been treated with root canals are usually covered with crowns to protect them from further damage and to restore their appearance.
In some cases, the dentist might be forced to extract the tooth if it is too damaged to be saved. If the tooth is extracted, the dentist will replace it with a restoration like a dental implant.
Broken teeth often come with sharp edges that can damage soft tissues in the mouth. It might also be accompanied by pain and increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods. If the injury does not count as a dental emergency, the patient might need to manage the tooth for one or two weeks as they wait for their appointment.
Here is how dentists recommend dealing with a broken tooth:
Stop by or give us a call to learn more about how our dentist can fix your cracked tooth. Treating a damaged tooth can eliminate pain and discomfort.
Request an appointment here: https://www.yourdowntownmckinneydentist.com or call Sam Patel DDS, PA at (972) 638-5848 for an appointment in our McKinney office.
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