Can You Fix a Cracked Tooth? Understand When Is It a Dental Emergency

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1 What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Cracked Tooth?

Even if your cracked tooth is a superficial or small fracture, it’s important to get it professionally treated. This is because bacteria can penetrate the surface of your tooth and cause decay. A cracked tooth can be a dental emergency, depending on how much of your tooth is fractured. Contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible to have the crack repaired. Today we are going to answer the question ‘can you fix a cracked tooth’ and what the possible treatment options might be.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Cracked Tooth?

If your tooth is cracked or chipped you will probably feel it or see it. For some patients, it occurs when biting down on a hard piece of candy or ice, or when you use your teeth as tools. When you drink a hot beverage or eat something sugary, you might feel pain around the affected tooth.

Consulting your emergency dentist as soon as possible may help you to avoid a root canal or tooth extraction. Even if you think the crack is small, it is possible for bacteria to get into the chip and cause an infection that can compromise the health of your tooth.

How Can You Fix A Cracked Tooth?

Visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible after your tooth has cracked. The amount of damage done will determine how your dentist restores it. Ignoring a cracked tooth can lead to a bigger dental emergency.

How To Fix Small Cracks?

If a small piece of enamel has been cracked, it’s possible your dentist can repair it using a dental filling. If the piece that has broken off is part of your tooth and it is small enough, dental bonding, a filling, or a dental crown may be used to restore your tooth to full function.

Dental bonding generally does not require anaesthetic and can often be completed in one visit. Your dentist will prepare your tooth and then apply adhesive and tooth-coloured bonding material to the affected area. Ultraviolet light is used to harden the bonding material and the tooth will be reshaped to look like your other teeth.

How To Fix Large Or Deep Cracks?

If the crack is deep or big enough that your tooth pulp could be compromised, it constitutes a dental emergency.

If you can’t get an appointment with your emergency dentist, try to protect your tooth as much as possible by avoiding sugar and hot and cold drinks and food.

Try to chew on the other side of your mouth if possible. Rinse your mouth regularly with saline solution to keep the area clean. If the tooth is painful, use over-the-counter pain medication until your appointment.

If the crack extends to your tooth pulp or you have developed an infection, you may need root canal treatment or tooth extraction.

Having a cracked tooth can be a dental emergency and it requires urgent treatment. For more insight into how can you fix a cracked tooth, please contact us for an appointment: (02) 8806 0578.