Examining Cracked Teeth

At the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we’ve devoted our practice to assisting patients with cracked and chipped teeth. Cracks can cause many different kinds of damage, and depending on what has happened, different treatments will be needed. But it is often the case that it is difficult to determine exactly how severe a crack is without very thorough testing.

The least dangerous types of cracks are called craze lines. They look unpleasant, but occur naturally and are too shallow to compromise the integrity of the tooth structure. However, a tooth that is truly cracked at the crown or root requires urgent treatment. Often, cracks will not appear on x-rays. In order to determine how far down the tooth a crack goes, it may be necessary for a dentist to probe it and have the patient bite down on something and report their comfort while we observe their bite function. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove fillings to get a better view. When investigating cracked roots, cutting a flap in the gum tissue may be necessary. While we sympathize with patients’ frustration with these tests, it is vital to their health to determine whether their dental pulp has become infected before a new dental crown can be made, as well as whether they will need a full implant. To avoid cracking, do not chew ice or anything similarly hard and ask your general dentist for help with nighttime tooth grinding.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.