Treatment options to repair cracked teeth in Augusta, GA

At our Augusta, GA practice, we strive to restore your oral health and avoid tooth extraction whenever possible. Patients often ask if cracked teeth can be saved. The answer depends on the nature and severity of the damage. In many cases, we can repair cracked teeth with appropriate endodontic procedures.

Symptoms of cracked teeth

Some types of tooth damage are obvious. For example, you would probably know if a piece of a tooth is broken off, or if you have a chipped front tooth. However, a crack or fracture might not be visible without an x-ray. You may experience a range if symptoms, such as temperature sensitivity, pain when you bite down, or pain when you release biting pressure.

Early diagnosis of cracked teeth can be challenging because the symptoms can be inconsistent. The pain might come and go. Without treatment, the dental pulp typically becomes irritated, inflamed, and possibly infected. Eventually, the pain becomes constant, and the infection may spread to tissues surrounding the tooth.

Types of cracked teeth

The symptoms and treatment recommendations depend on the type of crack or fracture present in a tooth. The most common types include:

  • Craze lines – These superficial cracks in the outer enamel generally do not pose a risk.
  • Fractured cusp – This is a crack in the upper part of a tooth, which usually does not damage the pulp. In most cases, it can be repaired with a dental crown.
  • Treatable vertical crack – When the damage extends downward toward the tooth root, it is likely to harm the dental pulp. This type of crack usually requires a root canal treatment, followed by a dental crown to restore the tooth.

Relieve tooth pain and stop cracks in their tracks: Talk to an endodontist today!

Relieve tooth pain and stop cracks in their tracks: Talk to an endodontist today!
Teeth are strong, but can still get cracked and damaged. Pain and sensitivity are signs of a cracked tooth. Watch the video to learn about the tooth structure, how it can get damaged, and how an endodontist can tackle this damage with root canal therapy. Dial (706) 800-9118 to learn more
Video Transcript
Our smiles are built to last. In fact, tooth enamel, the outer surface of our teeth, is the hardest substance in the human body. Stronger even than our bones. That tooth enamel can withstand a lot of wear and tear but as we live longer and expose our teeth to stresses like clenching, grinding or chewing on hard objects, we can put our smiles at risk. Signs that you may have a cracked tooth are a pain when you’re biting or chewing or sensitivity to hot or cold foods. But sometimes there are no symptoms at all. That’s why regular dental check-ups are so important. To understand why a cracked tooth hurts, let’s take a look at a healthy tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel is a hard tissue called dentin. Inside the dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. The pulp contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. It extends from the crown of the tooth into the roots of your teeth. When the enamel of the tooth is cracked, chewing can cause the pulp to become irritated. This irritation can grow and eventually the pulp can become injured. Besides pain and sensitivity, the injury may lead to infection of the pulp tissue. That’s why it’s important to diagnose and treat a cracked or chipped tooth quickly, so the problem doesn’t get worse. There are many types of cracked teeth. Treatment will depend on the type, location and severity of the crack. Common cracks include fractured cusps, split teeth and vertical root fractures. If you have signs of a cracked tooth, you should see an endodontist, a specialist in diagnosing tooth pain. Endodontists are experts in saving your natural teeth, using state-of-the-art technologies like microscopes and digital imaging, to find cracks in your teeth and treat you quickly and comfortably. Your endodontist will discuss your symptoms and examine your tooth to determine your treatment options. Treating a cracked tooth usually with a root canal procedure, will relieve your pain and reduce the likelihood that cracks will worsen. During root canal treatment, your endodontist removes the irritated or damaged pulp and cleans, shapes, fills, and seals the root canals to keep bacteria from entering the tooth. After your endodontist is finished, you must return to your dentist to have your tooth properly restored with a crown. That protects the tooth and is important to ensure the success of your root canal treatment. For a detailed explanation of root canal treatment and how it can save your tooth, please watch our root canal treatment video. Nothing looks, feels or functions like your natural teeth. So, talk to your endodontist about treatment options to save your crack tooth. Protect your teeth from life stresses and make sure your smile lasts a lifetime by having regular dental check-ups.

  • Root fracture – A small crack or fracture that begins in the tooth root may be painless or have minimal symptoms in the early stages. Unfortunately, this type of damage often goes undiagnosed until infection or further damage occurs. Depending on the circumstances, the tooth may be savable with endodontic surgery.
  • Split tooth – This describes a tooth that is severely cracked, dividing it into distinct segments. Unfortunately, it is not possible to save the entire tooth. In some cases, a portion of the tooth may be saved. A split tooth usually begins with a smaller fracture that was not treated.

Is your cracked tooth savable?

The only way to determine if a tooth can be saved, and what treatment may be needed, it with a comprehensive evaluation. Call Augusta Endodontic Center at (706) 800-9118 to arrange an appointment.

Dr. Emmanuel Ngoh, Augusta Endodontic Center

Dr. Emmanuel Ngoh has over 20 years of experience in dentistry. An alumnus of the Medical College of Georgia’s Schools of Dentistry and Allied Health and Kennesaw State University, he practiced as a General Dentist for four years before specializing in endodontics. He founded Augusta Endodontic Center to fulfill the endodontic needs of patients in the area.

Dr. Ngoh is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, Christian Medical and Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and Augusta Dental Society. He is a Faculty Member of the Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine and has contributed to many research projects and journals. His efforts have been recognized with many awards and being voted as one of Augusta‘s Top Dentists by the Augusta Magazine.