Cracked or broken tooth? Call Marina Endodontics for Treatment

By: Dr. Ahmed Sadek

When you suspect a cracked tooth, have it checked as soon as possible. If left untreated, the crack deepens and could cause tooth loss. Marina Endodontics understands the intricacies of cracked teeth and their implications if left unaddressed. Dr. Ahmed Sadek’s advanced endodontic services in Long Beach, California, can be the difference between saving and losing your tooth.

How do you know you have a cracked tooth?

Cracked teeth present unique challenges in dental care. Common causes include repeated dental work, dental trauma, and biting on hard substances. Sometimes, the causes are subtle. Uneven chewing pressure or temperature changes can cause cracked teeth.

When you have a cracked tooth, you may experience sudden, sharp pain when you bite or chew. This pain may disappear quickly but tends to recur when chewing resumes, a sign your tooth is caving in under pressure. Also, a cracked tooth exposes the inner structures so that you may experience increased sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and foods.

Sometimes, you might see a visible crack on the tooth’s surface. However, many cracks are not easily visible, especially if they are small or hidden below the gum line. When you suspect a cracked tooth, schedule an appointment with an endodontist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

How do we diagnose cracked teeth?

Because its symptoms frequently resemble those of other dental problems, diagnosing a cracked tooth can be challenging. However, Dr. Sadek’s extensive training and experience enable him to detect even the smallest or most hidden cracks. After a review of your symptoms and visual inspection, Dr. Sadek uses advanced diagnostic tools like digital X-rays, dental microscopes, and 3D imaging to identify the crack’s location and severity.

What are the different types of cracked teeth?

Not all cracks are the same, and identifying the type of crack is vital for treatment. Here are different types of cracks:

• Craze lines: These are only cosmetic and superficial. Since they don’t affect the condition of your tooth, they don’t require treatment.
• Fractured cusp: It happens when a fragment of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, usually near a filling. Since the enamel is damaged, all that is required to repair your teeth is bonding or a crown.
• Cracked tooth: This crack runs from the chewing surface to the root but doesn’t completely split the tooth into parts.
• Split tooth: This is a severe type of tooth damage in which the fracture extends deeply enough to divide the tooth into separate sections. It typically occurs due to a long-standing, untreated crack.
• Vertical root crack: The fracture starts at the root and progresses upward, often causing minimal symptoms until it leads to infection in the surrounding bone and gums.

How is a cracked tooth treated?

Beyond pain, a cracked tooth can cause infection, putting your tooth at risk of extraction. When the damage is deep enough and extends into the pulp, we recommend a root canal to prevent further damage. During a root canal, the doctor removes the infected/damaged tissues and restores your tooth with a filling.

Do you suspect a cracked tooth?

Extraction isn’t always the best solution for a cracked tooth. Call 562-431-3636 to save your cracked tooth with endodontic services from Marina Endodontics.