Your worst dental nightmare has finally come true: you’ve cracked a tooth. Now what?
You might think the only way to fix the problem is to have the tooth pulled, but that’s not necessarily true. While some cracked teeth can’t be saved, many can. There are a few different ways to repair a cracked tooth and keep your smile intact. Let’s talk about the four most common options we recommend to our patients and what kinds of cases each one is best suited for.
1. Just Leave It
Believe it or not, not all tooth cracks need to be repaired. Cracks that don’t disturb the dentin inside the tooth are called craze lines, and it’s perfectly safe to leave them alone. Most people have craze lines on their teeth.
Studies have shown that these superficial cracks are not likely to get worse over time and rarely lead to tooth decay. In fact, treating them is considered over-treatment and will probably do more harm than good. That said, it’s important to get the crack assessed by professionals before you decide not to treat it. Visit your dentist for a checkup and ask them about it. They’ll tell you if it’s just a craze line or something more serious.
2. Fill It
If the crack is deep enough to need treatment but still relatively minor, you might be able to get away with just filling it. Composite fillings (also sometimes called dental bonding in this context) can be used to seal cracks that extend to the outer dentin layer or repair fractured cusps and edges.
Fillings don’t do much to strengthen a tooth’s structural integrity, so teeth treated this way are at high risk of breaking again. However, they are by far the most conservative option for treating a cracked tooth. Your dentist will let you know if they think they can fill in your crack without risking even worse damage. We love telling patients there’s an easy way to fix the dental issues that have been keeping them up at night!
3. Get an Onlay
If a filling won’t cut it but you’re not ready to commit to getting a crown, you might benefit a good candidate for an onlay. These restorations are much less common than fillings or crowns but are great for restoring teeth with moderate structural damage. They look a bit like partial crowns, covering one or more cusps of the damaged tooth to make it as strong as possible.
Onlays are the next best thing to crowns, and they’re usually a bit more affordable too. Ask your dentist if getting one is an option in your case. Your tooth might be too damaged to hold up without a full crown, but you’d be surprised how effective these restorations can be.
4. Get a Crown
If a crack affects more than half of a tooth, the only way to save that tooth is to crown it. Your dentist will shave down the remaining part of your tooth, inserting a metal or plastic post into the root canal to serve as an anchor point. They will then create a composite or porcelain cap to fit over your shaved tooth and cement that cap into place. Once the cement dries, you’ve got a sturdy restoration that should last you another 10 to 15 years with proper care.
Crowns are permanent, highly invasive treatments, so they’re usually only used as a last resort. They can also be quite expensive. Even affordable options like composite crowns will set you back at least a thousand dollars per tooth – usually much more. They’re also extremely strong, highly functional, and very long-lasting. If your dentist recommends one, go for it! You’ll probably extend that cracked tooth’s life by many years.
Treat Your Cracked Tooth Today
You may not have to kiss your cracked tooth goodbye, but it probably needs some sort of restoration. The experts at Ouellette Family Dentistry can examine the break and help you decide on the best course of action. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get that pesky tooth taken care of.
