I’ve Cracked My Tooth. Is That a Problem?

Dental injuries like cracks in your tooth enamel can cause a range of problems. If you think you have a crack in your tooth, your dentist in Medina, OH, can help. At Evanko Dental Group, we can provide restorative dentistry services to patients who have a crack in their tooth. If you think you have a cracked tooth, get help! Below is what you need to know about cracked tooth enamel.

What Causes Tooth Enamel Cracks?

Tooth enamel cracks can be caused by many things. You might get a crack in your tooth enamel by biting down something hard like a piece of candy or a popcorn kernel. You can also get a cracked tooth if your face has had an impact with a blunt object. If you grind your teeth at night, this can cause your teeth to become flattened and cracked.

Signs of a Tooth Enamel Crack

If you have a crack in your tooth enamel, you may be able to see it, depending on the size and severity of the crack. If you can’t see it, you may still be able to tell by noticing the symptoms of a crack. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Sensitivity and pain in your tooth
  • Pain when you bite down, consume something hot, or consume something cold
  • Pain when you eat sugary foods

What Can Happen If Your Tooth Is Cracked?

If you have a crack in your tooth enamel, one of the biggest risks is that your tooth could be at risk for a dental infection. Bacteria can enter your tooth through the crack, and this can cause the pulp to become infected. If the tooth is not big or deep enough for this to happen, the crack can get worse if it’s not protected.

What Should You Do If You Have a Cracked Tooth?

If you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to see the dentist as soon as possible. The dental professionals at Evanko Dental Group of Medina can help. We provide restorative dentistry services in Medina, OH. We may be able to protect your tooth with a dental crown or another procedure. Waiting too long may mean that your tooth will get worse. Call today!

What Can be Done About a Chipped Tooth?

A chipped tooth can be fixed easily today. In Medina, OH, there are a number of options that are available, such as dental bonding and porcelain veneers. Dental bonding is not expensive and fast, while porcelain veneers are more durable, long-lasting, and offer additional benefits. All of the options covered in this article are common and so your dentist’s office will likely use these practices.

How to Tell if You Have a Chipped Tooth

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you actually have a chipped tooth. Unless the chip is large and it’s one of your front teeth, you may not even realize that you have a chipped tooth. One telltale sign is persistent raw pain in the tooth that doesn’t go away after a day or two. Check in the mirror to see if you notice any irregularities or missing parts of the tooth. Be sure to see your dentist in Medina, OH if you see anything that even faintly resembles a chip. A chipped tooth doesn’t have to be repaired as an emergency, but you don’t want to wait very long, because the tooth will be vulnerable to bacteria.

Solutions For a Chipped Tooth

One of the first options your Medina dentist may offer is repairing the chipped tooth with dental bonding. Dental bonding involves applying a resin material to the crack or chipped area of the tooth and shining a special laser light over the area to harden and seal the coating. Dental bonding is inexpensive and fast, making it the preferred route for repairing a chipped tooth. The procedure takes about an hour to complete if it’s for one chipped tooth. Dental bonding doesn’t even require anesthesia because it’s non-invasive and pain-free.

If the chip is large and visible when you smile, you might also consider a porcelain veneer. Porcelain veneers are thin layers of composite resin and porcelain that are bonded to the front of teeth. Porcelain veneers have the advantage of being stronger than dental bonding. Porcelain veneers are custom made to fit the patient’s damaged tooth and last for years. The whole procedure usually takes two trips to the dentist.

A chipped tooth doesn’t have to be a problem. Today’s dental treatments offer a lot of different options for chipped teeth. Contact your dentist in Medina for advice about treating your chipped tooth.