When a Cracked Tooth is a Cause for Concern
At Great North Dental, we don’t always consider a damaged tooth to be an emergency. However, if the crack reaches the inner pulp, the injury is often more severe. The center pulp chamber houses all the blood vessels and nerves within a tooth. For that reason, this innermost layer is tucked away beneath the outer protective layers. A broken tooth can expose bacteria and mouth acids to this vulnerable area.
Severely Cracked Tooth
A large tooth crack can be a severe problem that usually causes unbearable pain. Symptoms of this kind of damage include bleeding and inflammation. If you have a badly cracked tooth, call an emergency dentist near you right away.
The standard method for treating a large crack in a tooth is root canal therapy. During this tooth-saving procedure, Dr. Ruchi Sheth completely removes the entire contents of the pulp chamber. Then an antibiotic is applied to the hollow area followed by gutta-percha to seal the tooth. The final step is a dental crown to rebuild the tooth and protect the weakened structure.
Post Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal, there is no recovery period so that you can get right back to your daily routine. However, you might have increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This result is especially true if your Sault Ste. Marie, ON dentist prepared the tooth to place a dental crown. Fortunately, the sensitivity should subside after a few days. In the meantime, desensitizing oral care products are available over the counter to help.
Other Treatments for Tooth Damage
For lesser breaks, Dr. Ruchi Sheth might suggest one of the following dental restorations to repair the tooth:
Dental bonding: Your dentist applies custom-shaded composite resin to rebuild the injured tooth. The tooth-colored material blends in seamlessly with your existing natural teeth. No tooth preparation is needed to place bonding.
Tooth crowns: For some cases, the damage isn’t extensive enough to compromise the pulp. In these situations, Dr. Ruchi Sheth might recommend a dental crown to restore the appearance and function of an impaired tooth. A crown will also help prevent further damage.
We Fix Injured Teeth
Call Great North Dental if you are dealing with a cracked or broken tooth. Our dentist in Sault Ste. Marie, ON will meet with you to discuss your options.