Why Teeth Sometimes Crack And What Can Be Done To Restore Them

What appear to be minor dental issues can become more serious if not acted upon….

Some dental issues are very obvious. A painful toothache from tooth decay or one that breaks or is knocked out are all cases where our Chelmsford patients will almost certainly contact our dentists for treatment very quickly.

Not all damage to a tooth is so obvious though and may result in the person not seeking help as quickly as they should, sometimes with unfortunate consequences.

One of these issues which may seem of less importance is when a tooth cracks, or sometimes even when it becomes chipped, depending on how large the chip is. These might not be of immediate concern to the patient, but, at Blue Sky Dental, we know how quickly things can change and what once appeared a minor issue, could lead to more extensive treatment than would have been the case initially.

Acknowledging the damage

Sometimes, when a tooth cracks or chips, it may be immediately obvious. This would be the case where the damage has been caused by a blow to the mouth or similar. It needn’t be so obvious though and teeth can become damaged by eating or even due to the way that our teeth meet together.

Sometimes the damage is visible and can be seen when we look in the mirror, but other ‘clues’ that damage may be present is a rough or sharp edge on the tooth that we notice when we brush our tongue against it. Another clue is if we notice a sharp increase in sensitivity when we eat hot or cold foods and drinks. If you notice this, you need to see your dentist to have it checked as soon as you possibly can.

Ignoring the damage

It may be understandable, especially for nervous patients, for minor issues such as these to be ignored. Doing so is often just storing up problems for the future. If the crack or chip has exposed the dentin layer below the tooth enamel, it is likely that bacteria will enter and tooth decay or even root canal infections may follow. Because of this, we urge you to make an appointment to see us if this happens to you.

Available treatments

The nature of the issue will determine the treatment that is needed. Some chips and cracks may be surface damage only and may not immediately threaten the integrity of the tooth. Even then though, a small chip can cause discomfort and cuts or scratches to the soft oral tissue. This can sometimes be corrected by applying dental bonding to the area to smooth it out. This can sometimes also be of use for covering up cracks. Generally though, this is seen as a more temporary restoration and more permanent options are available. These are also likely to be used where more significant harm has been caused.

Tooth coloured fillings

Where a tooth has been chipped and the dentin exposed, the most likely solution is for the tooth to be filled. As this problem often occurs towards the front of the mouth, it is important for most of our Essex patients, for the restoration to be as discreet as possible. Whilst amalgam could be used for this purpose, it is more likely that a tooth coloured filling will be used. This can be matched to the colour of your natural tooth, making the restoration almost invisible.

Porcelain veneers

Another option and one that is long lasting and restores the appearance of a tooth whether it has been chipped or cracked, is the fitting of a porcelain tooth veneer. These, in essence, replace the damaged tooth enamel and both protect and improve the appearance of the affected tooth. In most cases, this will require a minor invasive treatment where a fine layer of the damaged enamel is removed and impressions are then taken of the prepared tooth.

Your new veneers will be produced from this impression and you will be fitted with temporaries to protect the tooth for the week or so until your new veneer is returned to our Chelmsford dental clinic. Once the veneer is available, you will be recalled to have it fitted using a powerful clinical adhesive. You will also be given full aftercare instructions.

The most important thing to remember is that any damage to a tooth should be examined by a dentist. Prompt treatment can help to prevent further damage or even tooth loss in the case of a tooth that has become more compromised than it may appear to be. Don’t delay if you have any concern at all, however minor it may be. It is often said that it is better to be safe than sorry and this certainly applies when it comes to looking after your teeth.

If you would like to contact us about this issue, or for any other oral health problems, you can do so by calling Blue Sky Dental today on 01245 211070.