Evaluation And Treatment Of Cracked Teeth Specialist
Dr. Rathee offers state-of-the-art techniques for the evaluation and treatment of cracked or chipped teeth. For patients in and around West Hills, California, Dr. Rathee can help improve the cosmetic appearance of cracked or chipped teeth while preserving their strength and integrity.
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Evaluation and Treatment of Cracked Teeth
by Anita Rathee, DDS
Does a Cracked Tooth Need to be Repaired?
Even a small crack provides the opportunity for decay-causing bacteria to enter into the tooth. Without treatment, a tooth crack can quickly result in deep decay and infection which can cause breakage and even tooth loss. Additionally, repairing a cracked tooth can improve a person's confidence and help avoid any further issues.
What Types of Restoration Options Are Available for Cracked Teeth?
Depending on the location of the crack and how extensive it is, a cracked tooth may be repaired with a veneer, bonding, or a crown. Before any treatment of a cracked tooth takes place, an evaluation will be performed to ensure the most appropriate treatment is selected.
At our office, we also provide biomimetic treatment for a cracked tooth. Biomimetic dentistry addresses weak, decay, or cracked teeth by sealing them against bacteria and helping them to remain strong. When used, biomimetic dentistry techniques can avoid around 60 to 90% of crowns and root canals. Instead of traditional methods which don't always take the overall dental health of a patient into account and often don't take advantage of advanced adhesives and ceramics, biomimetic dentistry keeps out bacteria and uses onlays which can act more like a person's natural tooth. These treatments help patients avoid developing future problems with the tooth by preventing infections and bonding the tooth to prevent additional cracks.
What Steps can I Take to Avoid Cracking a Tooth?
One of the most important things you can do to avoid cracking a tooth is to have regular dental exams every six months to ensure your teeth are as healthy as possible. Healthy teeth are strong and far less likely to become damaged. Another important step you can take is to avoid chewing on ice or hard candies. Lastly, never use your teeth as tools to open lids or caps.