Cracked Teeth
Stress has become a common part of the modern lifestyle. At the same time, life expectancy has increased significantly. This means longer stressful years when the teeth get exposed to many more years of damage from behaviors such as teeth grinding, chewing, and clenching. These habits tend to make your teeth more likely to crack. At the same time, traumatic injuries can also cause your teeth to crack. Cracked teeth often require endodontic treatment for various reasons, and the team at Elite Endodontics can provide you with smooth treatment.
Why Does a Cracked Tooth Get Referred to an Endodontist?
A cracked tooth is often difficult to diagnose. After diagnosis, many cases require endodontic treatment to save the tooth. At Elite Endodontics, Dr. Danni Sayman is a specialized endodontist and can take all the necessary steps to diagnose and treat cracked teeth and save them. A chipped tooth crown can be treated either through reattachment of the broken piece or placement of a tooth-colored filling. If a larger part of the tooth crown is cracked, a cap may be added to restore the tooth. However, if the crack causes damage to the pulp or exposes it, root canal treatment may be required.
Contrary to common belief, not all teeth cracks are caused by trauma. They often start small and grow progressively to become a larger problem. The earlier the problem is detected and diagnosed, the better it is for saving the tooth. An endodontist’s specialized training and experience can be invaluable in saving your cracked tooth. We treat each specific cracked tooth on a case-by-case basis.
Cracked Tooth Treatment
When a cracked tooth has damaged or exposed pulp, endodontic treatment may be the most feasible way to save it. There are different types of cracked teeth. We will use a treatment method depending on the type and extent of the crack and its location.
- Craze Lines: These are tiny cracks on the outer enamel and may not need endodontic treatment.
- Fractured Cusp: A piece of the chewing surface may break off and can be repaired with a new crown or filling.
- Cracked Tooth: The crack extends through the surface in the direction of the root. Root canal procedure may be required to disinfect the tooth before placing a crown.
- Split Tooth: This is usually caused by the progression of a cracked tooth over time. Endodontic treatment may be effective in saving part of the tooth based on the location and extent of the crack.
- Vertical Root Fracture: These cracks originate from the root and extend outward to the surface. Endodontic surgery can sometimes help save the tooth by removing the fractured part.
When it comes to the endodontic treatment of a cracked tooth, it is important to know that the objective of the treatment is to increase the chances of saving the tooth. The root canal procedure followed by the placement of a crown can provide optimal protection. It helps prevent the crack from worsening. Besides helping save the tooth, the treatment provides much-needed pain relief.
Dr. Sayman will discuss all details of your treatment before beginning. We are sure you will feel relaxed and comfortable when seeking treatment at our office.