Cracked teeth are a big deal and need to be fixed right away. If you don’t take care of them, they can make you sick. Fortunately, a root canal might be able to help fix really bad cracked teeth.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that removes dead pulp and bacteria from a bad tooth. It’s a common procedure that helps fix a lot of dental problems. Dentists perform more than 15.1 million root canals every year.
During a root canal, the dentist cleans out the tooth and seals it up to stop infection. This usually takes about an hour.
Root canals might sound scary, but they’re actually pretty simple with today’s dental technology.
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
There are 5 different ways teeth can crack:
- Craze lines.
- Fractured cusps.
- Cracks that go into the gum.
- Split teeth.
- Vertical root fractures.
Each kind of crack has different signs.
Craze lines are tiny, painless cracks in the tooth’s enamel. They usually don’t need any fixing.
Fractured cusps are cracks around fillings that don’t hurt. They usually don’t affect the tooth’s inside.
Cracks that reach the gum line usually need to be pulled out. But if the crack hasn’t reached the gum, the tooth might still be saved. Split teeth are cracked all the way through, from the top to below the gum. They usually can’t be saved. Vertical root fractures start below the gum and go up.
With various types of cracked teeth, people might experience pain when chewing or biting, sensitivity in their teeth, swelling of the gums around the cracked tooth, and intermittent pain.
Cracked Teeth and Root Canals
How to fix a cracked tooth depends on where the crack is and how bad it is. Some cracks are small and don’t hurt, so they might not need fixing.
You might be able to fix minor cracks with glue, plastic resin (also called bonding), fillings, or crowns. But for bigger cracks, you might need a root canal.
During a root canal, the dentist removes any infected or inflamed stuff inside the tooth. Then, they clean and shape the inside before filling it. After that, they put a crown on the tooth to protect it and make it work again.
Once fixed, the tooth will function just like a normal tooth.
When a Cracked Tooth is Beyond Repair?
If left unfixed, cracked teeth can worsen and cause the inside of the tooth to die. This can lead to a lot of problems for your mouth and your whole body, including losing all of your teeth.
If the crack extends below the gum line, it might break the tooth beyond repair. In that case, you might have to pull it out.
Summary
A root canal might be the best way to save a cracked tooth. Talk to your dentist to see if it’s the right treatment for you.
If you’re considering a root canal in Houston, call DentaLand Dentistry of Houston at (832) 674-8377 to speak with our experienced dental team.