Ouch! It hurts to bite down. It hurts to chew. It hurts when you drink something cold. These may all be signs that you are experiencing a cracked tooth, even if a dental crown has been placed over it. If you suspect you may have a cracked tooth, contact your dentist right away for the best chance at saving the natural tooth.
How Could My Tooth Crack If It’s Covered By a Crown?
If you already have a crown over one of your teeth, you may be wondering how the tooth inside the crown could have become cracked or broken. Although a crown is designed to protect and cover what remains of a compromised natural tooth, it is still possible to experience a crack in the tooth.
Stress from grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, can cause a fracture in the tooth. Over time, the tooth may have weakened from use or decay. In some cases, the crown itself may have become cracked or damaged, causing the tooth underneath to crack as well.
What Can Be Done to Fix the Cracked Tooth?
In any of these instances, it is important to see a dentist immediately to protect your tooth from decay and possible infection. At A&R Advanced Dental Group, we specialize in providing top-notch dental services, including general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Your smile is our top priority and we are here to help you learn what to do if your tooth is cracked underneath your crown.
It’s important to contact us without delay if you think your tooth may be cracked. We’ll work quickly to assess the situation and come up with a course of action that will ideally save your natural tooth, prevent any further decay or infection, avoid potential resulting health concerns and eliminate the pain and discomfort you are feeling.
Depending on the cause and severity of the crack, treatment may vary. The existing crown may need to be removed if the tooth is damaged beyond repair and needs to be extracted, after which an implant or bridge will be needed. In some cases, a root canal may be required. If so, the existing crown may need to be removed and replaced with a new crown once the work is complete, but surprisingly, root canals can often be performed right through the existing crown so removal may not be necessary.
Each patient’s situation is unique and can only be accurately assessed by an experienced practitioner, so be sure to contact our office immediately so we can begin treatment.
Contact Us For Help
Don’t wait to get relief and resolution from a cracked tooth. Our expert staff is here to help so you can put the discomfort behind you and restore your beautiful, healthy smile. Contact us right away at our Pomona office at 845-364-9400 or our Brooklyn office at 718-376-1666; or, click to schedule an appointment online.