Is There a Way to Fix a Cracked Molar?
What to do if you notice cracks in your teeth? Are craze lines serious? A fractured cusp is nothing unheard of, but it can lead to various problems that are best avoided. But even if your molar cracks, it’s not the end of the world.
There are several different treatment methods available that will depend on the type of damage. If you are in need of emergency dental services, and if you have more questions by the end of the article, head to the link above.
What Is a Cracked Molar?
Molars are the last three teeth in the jaw, and they are for grinding food during eating. These are adult teeth, and people usually have twelve molars. But what happens if one of them cracks? What does it mean?
Cracked, fractured, or broken molar is a term used to describe physical damage to the back tooth in the jaw. It is also known as CTS or cracked tooth syndrome, and there are different types of cracked teeth.
In some cases, the damage can be barely noticeable; in others, it is possible for a tooth to crack in half. Whether it is a vertical root fracture or just a tiny fissure, it all falls into the same category. And it is a problem you will need to address as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
How Do You Notice It?
In some cases, you will be able to notice that the tooth is chipped with ease. Running your tongue over the tooth will feel sharp, and you will feel like there is a huge part missing. But in other cases, it might not be as noticeable.
However, there are a few symptoms you might experience. The most common one is sensitivity to temperature changes. Whether you are eating hot or cold food (or having drinks), you will experience sharp pain in the area.
The pain can come and go, but it is especially common when chewing. Swelling can also appear on the part of the jaw where the tooth is located, and you might notice bleeding along the gum line.
What Causes It?
There are several reasons why a tooth might crack. Age will play an important role since teeth get weaker with time. People over fifty are prone to tooth cracks, but it can happen to anyone.
Eating hard food such as popcorn kernels and candy can damage the tooth, and the way you eat will also significantly impact the severity or frequency of the problem. Of course, there are other ways to damage teeth, such as physical injuries, but they are a bit more obvious.
People who grind their teeth will also damage the enamel, which can lead to tooth cracks and cavities in the future. Finally, cavities can also be the cause of damage, and if the tooth is affected, it will get weaker with time.
Is There a Treatment?
Yes. There are a couple of different treatments, and they mostly depend on the type of damage and its extent. For example, if the crack extends to the root, it will require more work. But what matters is that there are possible solutions to the problem.
Bonding
Bonding is a process where a dentist uses plastic raising to fill the missing part of the tooth after a fracture. But this is not a solution that will apply to every single situation. And there are better alternatives.
Crowns
When a larger part of the tooth is missing, or after other dental treatments, crowns are necessary to replace the missing part of the tooth and allow the patient to continue eating without any problems.
There are different types of crowns available based on the materials used, and it is one of the most popular cracked tooth treatments available.
Fillings
Fillings are used after cavity treatments, and they can be helpful if the tooth is not too damaged. Whether the tooth is damaged by cracking, cavities, or decay, it is an excellent way to solve the problem.
Remember that fillings are not indestructible, and they can also crack after a while.
Root Canal
If the fracture is caused by cavities, the dentist won’t be able to go straight to fixing the missing part of the tooth. Instead, they will need to treat it first and get rid of caries. And there are cases where root canal treatment might be the only viable option.
After that, they can seal the tooth using fillings, dental crowns, or anything else that can fix the problem.
Veneers
Veneers are protective covers, and each is placed on the natural tooth. That can give you a perfect smile while covering the damage caused by the fracture, which makes this method great if there is a huge portion of the tooth left but it still requires at least a part of the natural tooth. This means you can’t use veneers after tooth loss or extraction.
Implants
In cases when the damage is too severe and there is no way to save the tooth, the dentist will need to extract it. After that, you can get dental implants that will look and feel like real teeth.
What to Do?
As soon as you notice that you have a split tooth, you will need to visit your dentist. That is the only way to know about possible treatment plans and whether the damage is serious. Additionally, the sooner you address the problem, the easier it will be for the dentist to solve it.
That also applies to any of the mentioned symptoms, and you should have regular checkups to see whether everything is fine with your teeth. Naturally, you should focus on oral hygiene and working on prevention.
Brushing your teeth regularly can help with many dental problems, and you should also avoid chewing hard foods and anything that can damage your teeth. The biting pressure can be too much, and avoiding the problem is always better than looking for various treatments for a cracked tooth.
Dental Services in Lakeview, Chicago, IL
If you are in need of dental services in Lakeview, Illinois, the best option is to visit Fresh Dental — they will be able to solve your problem in no time. The experienced team will help you if you have a cracked molar, and you can easily get crowns and implants.
There are many other services that will ensure you have a perfect smile, and that your teeth remain healthy. So, don’t waste your time and wait for the situation to get worse. Visit Fresh Dental and start your journey toward perfect teeth.
