Chipped or cracked teeth cancause painwhen chewing or exposed to hot or cold temperatures.
Pain can occur erratically as well.
In some cases, you might not have symptoms.
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However, a fracture or missing piece of the tooth can be visible.
Treatment for a chipped or cracked tooth varies depending on the extent of the crack or chip.
Smaller cracks or chips may be repaired easily.
Others may require more serious treatment.
A chipped tooth is a tooth that has broken.
Chipped teeth are the most common dental injury.They generally occur on the crown of the tooth.
A crack in the tooth usually starts near the gum line and spreads toward the chewing surface.
Though the tooth remains intact, a fracture line may become visible across the tooth.
Cracked teeth should also be treated as soon as possible.
There are various types of cracked teeth.
They are:
It is important to see a dentist for most chipped and cracked teeth.
But in some cases, as with craze lines, there is no need to see a dentist.
Repair
Teeth do not repair themselves once cracked or chipped.
Treatment is likely necessary.
The goal of treatment is to stop the crack or chip from worsening and relieve pain.
There are several different types of treatment to achieve this goal.
This temporary solution avoids putting unnecessary pressure on an already cracked tooth.
The better options may be inlays or crowns.
Veneers are a common choice for treating a chipped tooth as they can restore appearance.
They can also be used for smaller cracks.
Veneers can be made from porcelain orcompositeand are formulated to match teeth.
This provides comfort and esthetics.
This can cause infection and damage to the root, which needs to be treated.
During a root canal, the pulp and damaged part of the tooth is removed.
Crown
Crowns can restore a tooth that has been cracked or chipped.
Crowns provide strength and prevent further damage by restoring the tooth to its original shape and function.
Prevention
There are simple steps you might take to prevent a chipped or cracked tooth.
Seeking treatment as soon as possible can help prevent further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
A chipped tooth comes up whenever part of the tooth breaks off.
A cracked tooth takes place if a crack extends through the tooth, but the tooth remains intact.
A cracked tooth can be smoothed out by a dentist, using composite resin or veneers.
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