Cracked Teeth
The Next Generation Of Root Canal Care
Answers To Common Questions About Cracked Teeth
A cracked tooth can be scary. The questions can be endless: “ How did it happen?” “Will I lose my tooth?” “Do I see a dentist or an endodontist?”
At Phoenix Endodontics Group, your Arizona root canal experts see patients with cracked teeth every day. They have drafted answers to some frequently asked questions about cracked teeth and what to expect when you see a dental professional for help.
What are some situations that lead to cracked teeth?
While teeth are the hardest part of a human body, there are many ways in which they can become damaged. People crack teeth while chewing on ice, nuts or hard candy; if they receive a blow to the mouth during sports or other activities; if their face hits something during a car accident; or if they chronically grind their teeth. Teeth can also crack if their structure has been extensively eroded by decay.
What are some different types of cracks in teeth?
Some of the types of cracked teeth that we see at the Phoenix Endodontic Group regularly include:
- Craze lines, which are superficial cracks that only impact the hard outer enamel of the tooth
- Fractured cusps, in which a point on the crown of your tooth has cracked or broken off
- Tooth cracks where the damage starts at the crown and has worked its way down into the tooth pulp
- Vertical root fractures, where the tooth crack starts with the root and extends upward through the entire tooth, including its biting surface
Do I need a dental exam if I get a cracked tooth?
YES! You should call your dentist or endodontist immediately if you crack a tooth. Unlike broken bones, cracked teeth do not heal – the crack can only get worse over time. Early diagnosis of a cracked tooth, before it reaches the pulp, means that the treatment will likely be quicker and less invasive than if infection has set in.
Will I need a root canal if my tooth is cracked?
The type of care you need will depend largely on the depth of the crack. If the crack is superficial, a dentist may be able to place a crown on the tooth to protect it from further damage or infection. However, if the examination of your cracked tooth shows infection has reached the pulp, root canal therapy may save the natural tooth. You will need a crown or other restoration following the root canal to ensure the tooth remains protected.
Can an endodontist repair all types of cracked teeth?
No. Teeth with vertical root fractures or that have split due to a crack often must be completely extracted and replaced. However, early detection of severe tooth fractures may allow an endodontist to save part of a tooth.
Have Additional Questions About Cracked Teeth? Call Us!
Our commitment to exceptional care for you starts with answering any questions you have before you ever visit our offices. Call our Phoenix office at (602) 242-4745 or reach out to us using the online contact form on this website.