Mechanical impact to the teeth during an accident can result in dental cracks. The severity of the damage can vary widely, depending on the incident and the force of contact. It is advisable to consult an emergency dentist whether you have visible fissures or the cracks are completely invisible. The common signs of cracked teeth include tooth sensitivity due to the exposure of the internal nerves and blood vessels. The affected tooth might have some discolouration in form of a stain or pigment. In more severe cases, some pieces of the tooth might fall off and the entire structure can become loose. The type of treatment that is ideal for you will depend on the extent of damage. Here are the primary crack restoration options that you should discuss with your dentist.
Bonded Filling
A dental crack can cause damage to the enamel and dentine structures in the tooth. The crack can be treated by sealing the fissures on your teeth to protect the pulp cavity and prevent infection. The dental bonding procedure involves application of tooth-coloured resin on the cracked surface. This resin is essentially a plastic-based material with bonding or adhesive properties. After the dentist completely covers the cracks, they will use a special form of UV light to cure the restorative filling. This option is ideal because the process is fast and the bonding can restore discoloured teeth.
Endodontic Treatment
If your cracked tooth was not treated immediately after occurrence, you might be an ideal candidate for endodontic treatment. In simple terms, the crack will allow oral bacteria to infiltrate the tooth, necessitating this form of intervention. This is procedure is commonly known as the root canal therapy, and it is designed to treat infections. Basically, the dentist will create a point of access into the internal pulp cavity of the tooth. The hole will be used to remove the dead, inflamed, and generally infected tissues. Next, this access will be sealed using dental filling such as silver amalgam, porcelain filing, and composite resin. The dentist might recommend installation of a dental crown to restore the cracked tooth.
Tooth Extraction
If the cracked tooth has fractures that extend from the crown to the root, extraction might be your only option. This might also be the most fitting procedure if there are several cracks and some pieces of the dental structure are missing. After extraction, you will be a perfect candidate for permanent tooth replacement in form of a dental implant.
For more information, talk to a weekend dentist.
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