How to Treat Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth cannot be repaired at home.

Dentists say that diagnosing a cracked tooth is difficult. The hallmark of a cracked tooth is a patient complaining of pain but not knowing exactly which tooth is causing discomfort. Often, dentists cannot see a crack in the tooth because the crack occurred inside or below the gum line. If a dentist determines that a tooth is indeed cracked, he will need to repair the tooth to prevent further damage.

Instructions

1. Take an X-ray to determine the tooth's shape and to see if surrounding infections exist.

2. Complete a root canal. This removes the tooth's pulp chamber, which includes the nerve, and eliminates pain. Cracks that go through the nerve require this procedure because dead nerves cause abscesses.

3. Stabilize the tooth by inserting two posts inside the root. Once the nerve is removed from a tooth, the tooth can easily break. A post keeps the tooth working properly and provides extra stability.

4. Crown the tooth with a porcelain cap. A crown creates a solid cover for a tooth to keep it from further damage.

Tips & Warnings

• You can't treat a cracked tooth at home, so see a dentist as soon as possible.

References

• DoctorSpiller.com; The Cracked Tooth Syndrome; Martin S. Spiller, DMD; 2000
• WebMD: An Overview of Root Canals
• Joseph S. Dovgan: Cracked and Fractured Teeth

Resources

• Mayo Clinic; Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health; February 2011