How to treat tooth fracture – Understand the common methods

Tooth fracture is a condition when a crack appears in the tooth structure. It can be small, harmless, or large enough to divide the tooth structure into two parts. Both young children and older adults are prone to fractures. There can be various reasons for tooth fractures. Depending upon the cause and severity, the treatment is decided. So, if you are wondering how to treat tooth fracture, we have you covered.

In the information provided below, we will briefly discuss how to treat tooth fracture and the types of fractures – brought to you by Oris Smiles Dental Clinic Ahmedabad.

Types of fractures – How to treat tooth fracture

Cracked tooth

When the tooth is not completely fractured into parts, the crack line runs from the external surface towards the inside. The tooth can be cracked at any level. The cracked tooth can be seen at the level of the crown or may extend up to the roots. The treatment of cracked teeth varies as per the site and severity of the crack.  

Craze lines

Craze lines are small crack lines only seen on the external tooth surface. They do not cause pain or harm but can only be of aesthetic concern.

Fractured cusp

The cusp is part of the tooth’s chewing surface that helps in biting and chewing efficiently. A fractured cusp is a condition that hampers the proper intercuspation of the two opposing teeth. The function of the cusp is to help in biting the food properly. The most common cause of fractured cusp is biting onto extremely hard food items like walnuts or ice or using teeth as tools to open bottles. 

Split tooth

When the fractured line runs deep enough to split the tooth into two halves, it is called a split tooth.

Root fracture

Roots help provide anchorage to the teeth in the jawbones. Root fracture is an emergency treatment that needs prompt action. The direction of the fracture line can be vertical or horizontal and can be depicted from the radiographic analysis.

How to treat tooth fracture – Treatment options 

Dental Bonding

A tooth-coloured resin or composite material treats a small chipped-off portion of the tooth. Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure used for treating small chipped-off conditions that do not involve the nerves and blood vessels of the teeth. 

Root canal treatment

RCT, or root canal treatment, is performed when the blood vessels or nerves are involved. If the fracture is severe enough to involve the blood vessels and nerves, it will cause immense pain. RCT is a method to remove infected nerves and blood vessels. The tooth is restored with a dental prosthesis like a dental crown post-RCT. Many different types of crowns are available like all metal crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns, all ceramic crowns, and zirconia crowns. 

Dental veneers

Porcelain veneers are indicated in minor cracks when the nerves and blood vessels are not involved. When the crack is not as small as to be treated by bonding, it needs veneer treatment. Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that provide a durable solution to cracked teeth.