While it may seem obvious that a large chip or broken tooth needs your dentist’s attention, you may wonder if a small tooth crack is really a big deal. The truth is, every type of tooth fracture needs prompt treatment, even when it seems insignificant or harmless.
You may not even know you have a cracked tooth until you experience pain. Hairline cracks can be undetectable to the human eye. However, your inner layers of your tooth are exposed to some degree when the enamel layer is damaged. Depending on where the crack is on your tooth, even the tiniest amount of damage can cause pain and compromise your smile health.
Chips and cracks should never be ignored. Untreated fractures will only grow larger, which increases your risk for bacteria invasion and dental decay. In addition, cracks in your tooth will cause discoloration (darkening) and may even age your smile. Seeking treatment sooner rather than later for a cracked tooth can save the health, function and aesthetics of your smile. You will also find that early cracked tooth repair typically involves a quick and budget-friendly solution from your dentist.
Most small and superficial cracks can be effectively repaired using dental bonding. At Gilreath Family Dentistry, we use composite resin as the material of choice for fillings and bonding. Composite resin is a tooth-colored material that is highly durable, customizable and affordable. This may be all you need to stop a small fracture from growing ugly or becoming expensive to treat.
Other restorative procedures that are used to fix a cracked tooth include porcelain veneers and cosmetic crowns. Regardless of which restoration you need, Dr. Gilreath will deliver natural and beautiful results. The take away lesson when it comes to tooth fractures: don’t wait to call your dentist if you crack or chip a tooth!
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
