The human body has a remarkable capacity to repair itself without too much help, but it cannot fix everything. One of the things that don’t get better on its own is a cracked or damaged tooth.
What is a damaged tooth?
On average, healthy human teeth can exert 200 pounds of pressure when biting and withstand a compressive force of up to 30,000 lbs. But a direct injury to the mouth or a bad bite can result in a damaged tooth.
Damaged tooth refers to several ways the teeth can sustain trauma, such as:
- Broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
- Knocked out tooth
- Decayed tooth
When you have damaged teeth, you’re likely to suffer from a combination of any or all of these symptoms:
- Gum swelling or inflammation
- Tooth sensitivity from hot or cold foods/beverages
- Pain when chewing or biting
Can a damaged tooth repair itself?
A damaged tooth can heal on its own—but only if the damage is minuscule.
For example, if a tooth has a small fracture line on its outer layer and doesn’t cause pain, it can repair itself over time. Thanks to the minerals in your saliva that help rebuilds the tooth’s enamel.
However, these tiny cracks on the surface of the teeth can widen and worsen over time, especially if you constantly bite down on hard foods, suffer from bruxism, or have bad dental hygiene. And if the damage becomes extensive, the tooth cannot regenerate or repair itself.
How to repair a damaged tooth
While you may be able to get by on not having your regular dental checkups, oral health issues like a cracked tooth require medical assistance.
Depending on the scope of the damage, you can get different treatments to repair the affected tooth. Your trusted dentist will inspect the damage to see if it’s mild or has reached the root. Some of the most common dental treatments for cracked or damaged teeth include:
Dental Fillings
Used for minor cracks and fractures on the surface of a tooth, dental fillings fill your teeth with dental amalgam in the area where enamel has chipped off.
This treatment restores the shape and stability of your cracked tooth and prevents bacteria from getting into the crack and affecting the pulp.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped covers made from porcelain and placed over the damaged tooth. The crown protects the damaged tooth and allows you to restore its function without worrying about causing further damage.
Root Canal
If the crack in your tooth extends beyond the gum line to the pulp, it cannot be repaired with the above treatments. Instead, your dentist will likely recommend tooth extraction or a root canal. The latter option removes the damaged pulp and restores the tooth’s structural integrity.
Restore the Function of Your Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth may start off simple, but it can cause more serious dental health issues. That is why it’s important to have it repaired right away.
Rod W. Gore DDS provides professional tooth repair services for patients in Scottsdale, AZ. With our experienced staff and technologically-advanced equipment, we offer patients stress-free and successful cracked tooth treatments.
Book an appointment today.