You're enjoying brunch with friends when you get that uncomfortable twinge of pain when you bite down. It goes away quickly, but it's persistent. You wonder whether to contact your dentist, and the answer is yes!
Pain when you bite or chew can indicate a crack or fracture in your tooth, so it's important to have it checked before it becomes a bigger, more uncomfortable problem, like an infection.
What Happens If My Tooth Is Cracked?
An untreated cracked tooth can cause further damage and, in some cases, lead to a painful tooth infection. For teeth that take the brunt of chewing forces, the crack can deepen and become worse without treatment. If the crack becomes severe, the tooth may become unsalvageable.
Here are some of the telltale signs and symptoms of a cracked tooth:
- Sharp pain — A quick, sharp pain when you bite down that stops when the pressure is released can indicate a cracked tooth.
- Intermittent pain — Pain that comes and goes and makes it hard to pinpoint which tooth is problematic can indicate a crack or fracture.
- Tooth sensitivity — When your tooth is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures or sweets, you may have a problem.
- Tender or swollen gums — This could be a first sign of an infection.
How Do We Treat a Cracked or Fractured Tooth?
While every patient's needs differ, our dentists may recommend one of these procedures for you:
- Dental bonding — If you have a minor crack or craze line, dental bonding with composite resin material may be sufficient.
- Dental crowns — A custom porcelain replica of your tooth covers the remaining healthy structure completely to the gumline.
- Root canal treatment — If the crack has reached the inner pulp of the tooth, a root canal removes the damaged or infected tissues.
- Tooth extraction — A severe fracture that impacts the root of your tooth may require extraction.
If you're experiencing symptoms of a cracked tooth, don't wait to call Pearly Place Dental to have it checked out.