10 Treatments for Cracked/Chipped Teeth

Tooth fractures remain among the most common oral problems that local dentists must treat. A fracture can look anything like a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. Either way, the damage to a tooth structure may dictate various treatment options, depending on the severity.

Who Is More Susceptible to Tooth Fractures?

While everyone can get tooth fractures, some people are more susceptible to cracks and chips on teeth than others. Several factors can make a person more susceptible to tooth fractures, including:

1. Age: As people age, their teeth become more brittle and less flexible, making them more susceptible to fractures.

2. Teeth with existing dental restorations: Previous dental work on your mouth, such as fillings or crowns, can make your natural teeth more vulnerable to fractures. The stakes are higher when the restoration is large. For example, if your dentist in Phoenix uses a sizeable dental filling, the material weakens the tooth structure. This will increase the risk of cracking, chipping, or breaking.

3. Malocclusion: Misaligned teeth or a bad bite can place excessive pressure on certain teeth, making them more susceptible to fractures.

4. Sporting activities: Sportspersons are more vulnerable to tooth fractures during intense and high-contact sports.

What Causes Cracked/Chipped Teeth?

Cracked or chipped teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Tooth decay: Cavities and dental decay weakened teeth, making them more likely to fracture. It is a common cause of tooth fractures, particularly for patients with poor dental hygiene.

2. Trauma: A traumatic injury to the mouth, such as a fall, sports injury, car accident, or impact, can cause a tooth fracture.

3. Bruxism: Chronic teeth grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism, can weaken teeth and make them more susceptible to fractures.

4. Chewing hard foods: Chewing on hard foods, such as ice, hard candy, or bones, can increase the risk of tooth fractures.

5. Poor oral habits: Chewing hard non-food items like pens can crack or chip your teeth. Others include biting fingernails or using your teeth to open cans and lids.

6. Temperature changes: Rapid temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating hot food and then drinking cold water, can cause a tooth to contract and expand, leading to cracks.

Treatment Options Available for Cracked and Chipped Teeth

We offer several treatments at On Pointe Dentistry for cracked or chipped teeth, depending on the severity of the damage. Here are ten possible treatments:

1. Dental filling: Dentists commonly use dental fillings to restore broken teeth. Usually, fillings are ideal when the crack or chip is sizeable enough to impact the inner layers.

2. Dental bonding: It is a quick and affordable treatment employing a tooth-colored resin material called composite. The dentist will apply it to the damaged area, then harden it with a special light.

3. Dental crown: It is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged tooth to protect it and restore its shape, size, and strength.

4. Porcelain veneer: A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made shell covering the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance and protect it from further damage.

5. Root canal: If the crack or chip has reached the tooth pulp, a root canal may be necessary to remove the damaged tissue, treat the pain, and save the tooth.

6. Dental inlay or onlay: These are custom-made restorations used to repair teeth with larger cavities or damage that are too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to require a crown. Dentists use dental onlays and inlays as alternatives to crowns when patients do not have too much structural damage.

7. Tooth extraction: If the tooth is severely damaged or cannot be saved with other treatments, you may need an extraction in a dental office in Phoenix. After tooth extraction, your dentist may recommend tooth replacement with dentures, dental bridges, or implants.

8. Bite adjustment: If the damage is caused by a misaligned bite, adjusting the bite can help prevent further damage. The treatment entails orthodontic appliances like braces and teeth aligners.

9. Mouth protectors: Dentists can customize mouthguards to protect your teeth from impact and trauma that can cause fractures. Further, dentists customize night guards for patients that grind their teeth at night.

10. Reattachment: Sometimes, a dentist can reattach the chipped or broken part of the tooth. It is the rarest treatment for chipped or cracked teeth. However, the dentist will still advise you to bring the detached portion of your tooth to the dental office for evaluation.