cracked tooth

[Logan]

Hi

Whilst eating a sandwich last night, I noticed a part of my back tooth cracked off and I managed to stop myself from swallowing it. The tooth is now sensitive every time I drink. I would like to know if I leave this cracked tooth as it is, could it get any worst than it is now?

Does the fact that the tooth has cracked mean that my tooth will have to be extracted? If so, what can be done to replace the cracked tooth once it is removed?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

There can be many causes for your tooth to have cracked when eating a sandwich. One is that you could be a bruxist and already have caused some cracks in you tooth and then when eating the broken bit just come off. These teeth can be very difficult to restore depending how deep the fracture is. If it involves the root of the teeth and extended to the nerve house of your tooth, then you may need root canal treatment and crown later, if at all possible to save the tooth.

Another reason can be that you have has decay in the tooth. If a tooth has a deep defect which makes it week in strength, then the overlying enamel has no support and it colapses/breaks off. These teeth are more predictable to restore if the depth of the decay is not much and does not involve the root of the teeth. You may just need to rebuild you tooth by means of a filling, inlay or crown depending to the size of the cavity. Again if the decay has gone to the nerve house you will need root canal treatment before anything else.

Considering all the above possibilities I am sure you agree with me that whatever the cause of the broken tooth, it is not something that you should leave and I suggest you to come and see us for assessment.

If tooth is not savable and must be extracted, depending to which tooth it is, there are several options for replacing it, if at all one wish to replace it. The more conventional options for replacement are denture of bridges. But implants are the best option these days and it has many advanatges over the other dentures and bridges.