Can Cracks in Teeth Be Fixed? Treatment Options for Damaged Teeth

20 February 2024

Can Cracks in Teeth Be Fixed? Treatment Options for Damaged Teeth

A cracked, broken or otherwise damaged tooth can occur for any number of reasons and to anyone at any time. In many cases the fracture is so small, or the damage so minor, that it can often go unnoticed for a period of time, Eventually, however, the fact that everything is not as it should be will become evident as the tooth may become sore or sensitive to heat or cold.

One may wonder can cracks in teeth be fixed and the answer is that, in many cases, the damage can be repaired and the tooth restored to good health. 

Cosmetic Dentistry

Dentistry has developed in leaps and bounds in just the last few decades. Modern dentistry now involves so much more than just extracting damaged teeth or using fillings to treat cavities. Modern-day cosmetic dentistry can perform wonders and is now used to repair or restore even the most damaged teeth to perfection.

What type of treatment is required will depend upon the nature, size and location of the cracks or fractures. There are five main categories of tooth fractures:

Cracked Tooth. This is usually a simple crack running along the tooth’s surface and possibly extending under the gumline.

Hairline Crack. Sometimes called “craze lines” these are tiny, thin cracks that only affect the tooth’s surface.

Fractured Cusp. Normally painless and difficult to detect, a fractured cusp is a crack formed around a dental filling.

Split Tooth. This virtually splits the tooth as a deep crack runs down the tooth and under the gumline.

Vertical Root Fracture. This type of crack starts at the tooth roots and may (or may not) extend on to the surface of the tooth. These types of cracks can often go unnoticed unless an infection sets in.

Depending on the severity of the problem, and which parts of the tooth are affected, a dentist may refer a patient to an endodontist who specializes in issues concerning the roots and dental pulp of the teeth.

Treatments

A fractured, cracked or damaged tooth will not magically heal itself and professional treatment is a necessity. While waiting for an appointment, however, there are some steps that can be taken to relieve any pain or swelling that may be present:

Place an ice bag or pack over the affected area to reduce or prevent possible swelling

Rinse the mouth with a mild salt water solution to keep the mouth and teeth clean

Anti-inflammatory medications may help but should only be used according to a pharmacist’s recommendation

Once an appointment has been arranged the dentist will examine the severity of the problem and decide on the appropriate course of action. Every individual case is different and cosmetic dentistry provides many solutions for a cracked or damaged tooth. Which option is best will depend on the amount of damage caused and the future prognosis.

Among the various options are:

Bonding. A special plastic compound is used to fill in the crack and is colour matched to the tooth.

Contouring. In the case of a chipped tooth edge, a dentist can use cosmetic contouring to smooth and polish the rough edges of a damaged tooth.

Veneers. These are thin porcelain coverings that are permanently attached to the tooth’s surface.

Crowns. If a tooth is so badly damaged that veneers cannot be used, the dentist may use a dental crown which is fixed permanently over the damaged tooth.

Root Canal Treatment. If the damage extends into the centre of the tooth, it may be necessary to undergo root canal treatment.

When a tooth is so badly damaged that none of the above are suitable as treatments, the dentist may have no option but to completely extract the tooth and fit a false replacement. This is a last resort and will (should) only be used if no other viable option is available.

Can Broken Teeth Be Saved?

The simple answer is Yes! In the not too distant past a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth meant having an extraction and replacing the lost tooth with some form of replacement. Now, thanks to cosmetic dentistry, broken or cracked teeth are not the major issue of days gone by and the treatment options are many and varied.

This does not mean, however, that one should get careless when it comes to dental care. Not chewing on hard objects, not using the teeth to open packages, and wearing a protective mouthguard when playing sports will all help prevent unwanted dental injuries and having to undergo unnecessary dental treatment.