Importance of Seeking Treatment for Tooth Fractures By Dr. Scott Parr on November 16, 2016

A fractured tooth is not only painful, but can also be detrimental to your oral health. If left untreated, tooth loss is likely. We offer a variety of different treatments for tooth fractures at our dental practice in Virginia Beach, VA, to help preserve your tooth and your oral health. The particular restorative dentistry treatment used will depend on the location and severity of the fracture. At The Smile Center, we will do everything we can to save your tooth and restore your oral health while also improving the aesthetics of your smile.

Common Causes of Tooth Fractures

Tooth fractures can result from a wide variety of problems. Trauma is one of the most frequent causes of dental cracks and fractures. Car accidents, collisions during athletic events, and a fall can all cause a fractured tooth. Other typical causes of fractures include:

Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching while you sleep
Fillings that are too large for a tooth, especially silver amalgam fillings, which damage the tooth over time
Misaligned teeth placing excessive force on certain areas of the teeth
Chewing on hard objects like ice cubes or your fingernails

Symptoms of a Tooth Fracture

Depending on the location of the crack or fracture and how deep it is, you may experience constant pain, it may come and go, or you may feel no pain at all. When you are not in constant pain, you may ignore the problem and put off going to the dentist. This can cause the fracture to worsen, and can eventually lead to tooth loss. If you experience any of the following symptoms, we urge you to contact our office as soon as possible for an exam.

Sharp pain when chewing and biting down that is relieved when you stop chewing
Sensitivity to hot or cold food or drinks, or sensitivity when inhaling
Constant pain in and around the fractured tooth

Our Treatments for Tooth Fractures

The best way to treat tooth fractures is through prevention. For athletes, we recommend custom sports guards to protect your teeth from trauma. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, a night guard can protect your teeth from damage. To treat fractured teeth, we offer a variety of services:

Composite resin, used for tooth-colored fillings, can repair fractured cusps caused by large fillings. The composite can replace the existing filling and repair the tooth.
For more severe cracks and fractures, dental crowns are typically recommended. They not only provide strength to the tooth, but also protect the tooth from additional damage.
When a fracture has reached the inner pulp of the tooth, root canal therapy can eliminate bacteria, and a crown can protect the tooth.
If the fracture extends too far below the gum line, extraction is often the only possible solution. After the tooth is extracted, we can provide a suitable restoration, such as a dental implant and crown, to restore your health and the aesthetics of your smile.