Fixing Broken, Cracked or Chipped Teeth in NYC
How Do We Chip or Crack Our Teeth?
Enamel, which covers the teeth and is the hardest substance in the human body, has its limits. Chewing on hard candy or ice, biting down too hard, experiencing a blow to the face during a sports activity, or grinding your teeth in your sleep can all lead to chipped or cracked teeth. Additionally, poor oral hygiene and cavities can weaken our teeth, making them more susceptible to damage.At The Exchange Dental Group, conveniently located in the Financial District of Manhattan, we understand that dental accidents and trauma can happen at any time. Whether from a sporting event or an unexpected mishap, a chipped or cracked tooth can be both concerning and painful.
A chip or crack might even be painless if the damage isn’t severe enough to expose the inner layer of the tooth. If it’s only in the enamel, you may not notice a crack unless you bite down hard or experience a change in temperature in your mouth. Some cracks aren’t visible to the naked eye, which is why it’s crucial to schedule regular appointments with our experienced team. We can identify issues before they become painful and help you maintain a healthy smile.
What Types of Broken or Chipped Teeth Would Our Doctors Recommend Fixing?
Craze lines are tiny cracks in teeth. These types of cracks only affect the outer layer of the enamel. They’re very common in adults. They are extremely shallow and they don’t cause pain. Although they are not cosmetically pleasing, they’re not dangerous and do not require treatment.
A fractured cusp is a fracture at the point of a tooth on the chewing surface. A cusp can become weakened and either break off on its own or may need to be removed by our doctors. Removing it relieves the pain in most cases. Fractured cusps rarely damage the pulp, so root canal treatment is usually not necessary. To repair the tooth back to normal, our doctors may recommend a dental crown.
With cracked teeth, some cracks extend all the way from the chewing surface down into the root of the tooth. Depending on the position of the crack, it might damage the pulp. In many cases, our doctors will recommend root canal treatment to fix a cracked tooth.
A split tooth happens when a tooth is cracked and, over time, the crack progresses until the tooth eventually splits into two separate parts. Depending on the gravity of the split, our doctors may not be able to save the tooth intact. Depending on the position and extent of the crack, they will determine whether part of the tooth can be saved with a tooth crown or another restorative dentistry procedure.
Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of a tooth. Because the fracture line may not be visible, our doctors have to pay special attention to your symptoms in order to identify if you have one. Vertical root fractures are some of the most difficult fractures to identify. They are often fixed through endodontic treatment. It is sometimes possible to save part of the tooth, but in many cases the tooth needs to be removed.
A fractured cusp is a fracture at the point of a tooth on the chewing surface. A cusp can become weakened and either break off on its own or may need to be removed by our doctors. Removing it relieves the pain in most cases. Fractured cusps rarely damage the pulp, so root canal treatment is usually not necessary. To repair the tooth back to normal, our doctors may recommend a dental crown.
With cracked teeth, some cracks extend all the way from the chewing surface down into the root of the tooth. Depending on the position of the crack, it might damage the pulp. In many cases, our doctors will recommend root canal treatment to fix a cracked tooth.
A split tooth happens when a tooth is cracked and, over time, the crack progresses until the tooth eventually splits into two separate parts. Depending on the gravity of the split, our doctors may not be able to save the tooth intact. Depending on the position and extent of the crack, they will determine whether part of the tooth can be saved with a tooth crown or another restorative dentistry procedure.
Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of a tooth. Because the fracture line may not be visible, our doctors have to pay special attention to your symptoms in order to identify if you have one. Vertical root fractures are some of the most difficult fractures to identify. They are often fixed through endodontic treatment. It is sometimes possible to save part of the tooth, but in many cases the tooth needs to be removed.
Repairing Broken, Cracked, and Chipped Teeth
At The Exchange Dental Group, we provide several effective solutions to repair damaged teeth:
- Dental Bonding: Ideal for less serious issues, dental bonding restores the appearance of your tooth with a seamless fix that blends with your natural enamel.
- Dental Crowns: For more significant damage, dental crowns are a durable option. These custom-made caps cover and protect the affected tooth, restoring its strength and function.
- Tooth Extraction: In cases of severe damage or a completely broken tooth, extraction may be necessary.
- Tooth Replacement Options: If extraction is required, our team will guide you through your options, including dental implants, which offer a permanent and natural-looking solution.
Trust The Exchange Dental Group in the Financial District of New York City to provide you with expert care and the latest advancements in dental treatments. Your smile deserves the best!
How to Prevent A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
It is difficult to completely prevent damage to our because almost everyone ends up with a certain amount eventually. Here are a few ideas that our doctors suggest to keep it to a minimum:
- Don’t chew on ice, popcorn kernels, pens, hard candy, or other hard objects.
- Don’t clench or grind your teeth.
- If you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, speak with our doctors about getting a retainer or mouthguard.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
