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How can I fix a cracked tooth?

I have a front cracked tooth. What are my options?

11 Answers

Hello,

Depending on the severity of the crack, you have some options. If the "crack" is visible, but you have no pain to eating with it or hot, cold, or pressure, that is a "craze line," which is simply normal wear and tear and requires no treatment. If the crack does hurt to use it and is sensitive to cold, hot, and pressure and sweet, this is cracked tooth syndrome. I would check on the health of the nerve first. If the nerve is healthy and only hurts on pressure, adjust the bite. If the nerve is healthy and is sensitive to cold and hot, the crack is open enough to let the hot and cold in, so covering the tooth with a veneer or crown will cover and support the tooth to make it strong and functional again. If there is an actual fracture and you are missing a portion of the tooth, again, depending on how big the fracture is, a white bonding or filling is sufficient for minor damage. For significant damage, a veneer or crown will take care of that. Big fractures may require an additional "build-up" first. If even after a veneer or crown doesn't solve the sensitivity to pressure, hot, and cold, then the last option is a root canal. You will not need to redo the veneer or crown, as root canal access will be tiny if done with a microscope so that tooth structure can be preserved and not require redoing the veneer or crown. 
Hope this helps. The pattern discussed here is going from conservative to more aggressive treatment, or least invasive to necessarily invasive. Thank you for your inquiry. 
Depends on the severity of the fracture. Is your nerve healthy from the fracture? Do you have pain? You will need a radiograph to confirm nerve health before a final diagnosis for repair is given. If the tooth is restorable and there IS nerve involvement, you may need a root canal. Other options for repair: 1) Bonding (white filling material sculpted to look like your tooth. This is a good option for younger patients who may need more treatment in the future. The downside is bonding will stain over time). 2) Conservative veneer - 2-step process that replaces the missing tooth structure with porcelain (a more lifelike material made by a lab). 3) Full coverage crown - used if you broke the tooth enough to need a root canal or to the point where a bonding may not hold on well bc too much tooth structure is gone.
Good luck!
You fix a crack in the front tooth by either using a small amount of bonding or a crown
First we would evaluate the fracture and make certain there is no pulp involvement to rule out the need for a root canal or extraction. If the tooth tests healthy, depending on the size of the crack, the tooth can be restored with a filling, a veneer or a crown. Good question.
Depends on how badly the tooth is fractured:

Very Minor chip - nothing necessary, smooth it
Small Fracture - filling with composite material
Major fracture - composite filling depending on your bite/crown/veneer
Fracture with nerve involvement - root canal treatment with crown

Hope this helps.

With regards, thanks,

Dr. Narkhede
I assume you are referring to a “cracked,” and not a “fractured or chipped,” tooth. I also assume it is not painful. Options include:

1. If the crack is not an esthetic problem, it can be left alone.

2. Slightly enlarge the crack and bond a color matching composite restorative material to hide the crack.

3. Cover the entire front surface with a veneer. It can be constructed from a choice of several porcelains or composites. Matching the other teeth could be a concern with this option.

Thank you for your question. I wish you success with whatever you choose.
Depending on what you mean with a cracked tooth. Treatments can range from a simple filling to the need for the tooth to be extracted and replaced with an implant depending on what exactly “cracked tooth” entails
Depending on the crack, the tooth can be saved with possible root can therapy and a crown. If the crack is vertical, the the tooth should be removed and an implant placed.

You can’t fix it, but a good dentist can if it needs protection - if the health of the nerve chamber is good (not inflamed or infected, which would require root canal therapy before going any further), then it could be treated with covering the tooth with either a crown or an onlay to stabilize (and render the crack immobile). Since you are aware you have a cracked tooth, your dentist has (hopefully) evaluated if the tooth does need protection (some front teeth have visible cracks that don’t always need treatment).
The strongest way to fix a cracked tooth is with a "crown," which covers the remaining tooth and can look very natural.
Hi! Tooth cracks can have a degree of severity. For example, a simple enamel fracture (a crack or fracture in just the enamel layer) can be easily fixed with a composite tooth colored bonding. A more severe crack, such as a vertical crack down the root may mean the tooth will have to be extracted or removed. It's important to correctly diagnose your tooth crack so the proper treatment can be indicated. I would suggest having this tooth examined first with a limited exam and x-rays (most insurances will cover this at 100%).