Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? | Cracked Tooth Treatment Rochester MN

So you are at home and it is time for lunch. You don’t know what to make and decide to look in the fridge for some ideas.

Some leftovers….. no.

A salad….. no.

A frozen pizza…. no.

A sandwich….. aaaahhhh, the tried and true!

You make the best sandwich your fridge has to offer. You sit down and take a bit. You keep enjoying your sandwich and then…. OUCH! Your lower left tooth starts to hurt when you bite down.

What should you do next? When should you call Med City Dental?

This blog is all about cracked teeth. We will discuss causes of cracked teeth, cracked tooth symptoms, cracked tooth immediate steps to take, and when to call us.

Causes of Cracked Teeth

 One of the main causes of cracked teeth that we see in our office is older amalgam or silver colored fillings. Amalgam fillings are known to cause cracks for a number of reasons. They expand after placement causing pressure on the inner part of the tooth. They also can act like a wedge in the tooth if there are sharp interior angles. This wedging and biting over time can cause microcracks in the tooth. Just like cracks in a sidewalk, they may be there for many years until……. SNAP! Part of the tooth breaks off, the crack becomes painful, or the tooth may split.

Other causes may be due to bite issues. Our teeth are formed and shaped to take biting and chewing forces in a specific direction. If the teeth are crooked or mispositioned, the teeth will receive forces in ways they were not designed. Though rare, a tooth with no previous dental work on it may crack and split (most commonly an upper premolar).

Symptoms of Cracked Teeth 

Cracked teeth can be sneaky, just like cracks in a sidewalk in Rochester, MN. Cracks may be there for years and not cause any problems – then comes a cold winter causing the crack to break or get worse – SNAP!

Cracks in teeth will often cause pain to biting and chewing. The reason for this is that the parts of the tooth will flex and separate at the crack line. The fluids in the tooth will move and cause a pain sensation. Most often the pain is on release after biting.

Sharp pain is often felt when the crack progresses. Once the crack reaches the nerve and blood supply the tooth may begin to ache and throb. It may also become sensitive to hot and cold sensations. Crack propagation to the pulp requires root canal therapy for proper treatment. The goal is to treat the crack prior to it reaching the nerve and blood supply.

Immediate Steps and When to Call

 If you suspect that you have a cracked tooth in Rochester it is important to refrain from eating hard foods and avoid eating on the affected side. You should call Dr. Funke at the next opportunity that our office is open – mild to moderate symptoms do not require an after-hours visit.

On the other hand – severe pain, spontaneous pain, or pain that wakes you at night it is important to call Dr. Funke at Med City Dental in Rochester, MN right away during normal waking hours.

How is a Cracked Tooth Diagnosed

 Always rely on the expertise of Dr. Funke, your Rochester Dentist, when getting a proper diagnosis. He will examine the tooth to look for visible cracks in the tooth. Gum measurements will also be taken to help determine the extent and severity of the crack. Deep cracks below the gumline can cause bone loss around the tooth and worsen the overall prognosis. Dr. Funke will also perform cold tests to determine the health of the nerve and blood supply. A bite test will also help pinpoint the proper tooth and cusp that is causing issues. Radiographic images (x-rays) are also made to visualize the roots and bone surrounding the tooth. The tooth cracks are usually not visible on the x-rays but damage to the nerve and bone can be visualized.

How to Treat a Cracked Tooth

 It is best to either prevent or treat cracked teeth before they cause problems. The best means of prevention is wearing an occlusal night guard for those that grind or have mispositioned teeth. Dr. Funke can make a night guard digitally in our office. Early dental cracks in teeth can be found at regular dental cleanings and exams. Cracks that begin to collect stain or that can be felt with a dental instrument should be treated before they begin causing pain or progressing. Also, teeth with silver fillings with cracks extending across the tooth should be treated sooner rather than later.

Cracked teeth that are mild to moderately symptomatic will need to have full occlusal coverage. Treatment for symptomatic cracked teeth in Rochester, MN may be either a dental onlay or dental crown. These can be digitally designed and made in a single visit in our office. The purpose of treatment is to prevent the tooth from flexing and to distribute the forces across the entire tooth. These cases often have a favorable prognosis, but there is always the risk that the crack may progress and require root canal therapy.

Cracked teeth that have severe pain, spontaneous pain, or pain that wakes you will require root canal therapy as well as full occlusal coverage. The root canal and coverage can often be completed at Med City Dental in a single visit. These teeth will have a favorable prognosis.

Unfortunately, teeth with cracks causing localized bone loss will often need to be removed. This is often indicative of a vertical root fracture that cannot be repaired. Treatment would be extraction possible replacement like a partial denture or implant. The tooth extraction and replacement can be performed by Dr. Funke.

Worried That You May Have a Cracked Tooth and Live in Rochester, MN? – Call Med City Dental

Dr. Funke regularly screens for tooth cracks and has experience with diagnosis of cracked teeth. The Med City Dental in Rochester, MN can get you in quickly for diagnosis and treatment to get you back to eating your favorite sandwich in no time.

Suspect a cracked tooth – Contact Med City Dental in Rochester, MN (507) 289-8707 or Click HERE