Depending on the severity of your cracked tooth, your treatment may be cosmetic or it may
require an additional procedure to save your tooth. What happens once you crack a tooth?
Here’s what you need to know.

Tooth Bonding

If the crack in your tooth only extends as far as the enamel, you may be able to forgo treatment
or you may need tooth bonding.

Tooth bonding—also called dental bonding—is a form of treatment in which a tooth-colored
resin is bonded to your tooth to protect it from further damage as well as to fill in chips and
cracks.

Tooth bonding will not be ideal for every cracked tooth, but it can be used to repair certain
cracks and stop them from getting worse. Visiting your dentist can help you determine if this
treatment is for you!

Root Canal

When a crack extends beyond the enamel and into the softer tissues of the teeth, it’s likely that
you’ll need root canal therapy to prevent an infection in your tooth. When a crack leads inside
the tooth, it can be a gateway for bacteria and food particles to enter your tooth and cause an
infection.

Depending on your unique case, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy with a dental
crown affixed to the end of the tooth to protect it from further damage. During a root canal,
your dentist will remove the inner pulp of your tooth to prevent an infection, or if the crack has
been present for some time, remove a potentially ongoing infection.

Since cracks have the potential to spread, it’s important to secure protection for the tooth in
order to avoid an extraction and save your natural tooth.

Extraction

In the event that the crack in your tooth leads below the gumline, your tooth may need to be
extracted. These are cracks that extend vertically down the tooth and towards the tooth’s root
and may be referred to as a split tooth.

In many cases, a split tooth is the result of a crack that’s been there for some time and has
extended down the tooth. Unfortunately, for many patients, the tooth in question will need to
be removed to prevent infection.

If you notice a crack in your tooth, getting it evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible can help
you receive the treatment you need to save your tooth!

Whether you have a superficial crack in your teeth or a deeper crack that’s causing you pain
and discomfort, it’s important to get in to see your dentist as soon as possible. In some cases, a
cracked tooth is considered an emergency and should be evaluated that same day. Getting
prompt treatment can help you protect your cracked tooth to save your smile!

The post Cracked Tooth? Here’s What May Come Next appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

If it’s not your teeth’s physical appearance that you’re worried about but rather the stains or uneven coloring, a professional teeth whitening can work wonders for your smile! This procedure generally takes around an hour at your local dentist’s office and can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth. If you only want a subtle whitening, your dentist can customize the color you want to be only a few shades whiter—the choice is yours! A professional whitening can remove stains, help improve the appearance of white spots, and provide an even white shade to every tooth in your smile.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers can transform deeply-stained smiles, uneven or worn teeth, and even gapped teeth. They’re extremely strong yet thin and cover your existing teeth to provide you with a restored smile that’s resistant to both stains and decay. Porcelain veneers are permanently adhered to your teeth and can completely makeover your smile in just a couple visits to your dentist office. Ask your dentist if porcelain veneers would be the best cosmetic dentistry option for your wedding day smile!

Tooth Bonding

Do you have cracked or chipped teeth? Even a tooth that’s slightly chipped can throw off the appearance of your entire smile. Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth can be repaired through dental bonding. This procedure uses a composite material that’s expertly matched to your existing tooth color. The material is bonded to your teeth using a special light and polished to look just like your natural tooth. A tooth bonding procedure can repair broken teeth in one easy visit to your dentist!

Dental Crowns

If your tooth is cracked too deeply to be repaired with dental bonding or is in need of a more intensive restoration, a dental crown can protect and cover your tooth to provide a fully functional and natural-looking smile! Teeth that are heavily damaged may benefit from the protection and appearance of dental crowns. These caps effectively cover your existing tooth and are adhered to your tooth to provide a healthy, completely restored smile. Talk to your dentist to discover if your smile could benefit from dental crowns for your big day.

You’ll always remember your wedding day—so have a smile that your guests will remember for years to come. Your beautifully restored smile will make your wedding day unforgettable and make you smile big for your pictures! Schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss your cosmetic dentistry options. You won’t regret getting the smile of your dreams not just for your big day, but for the rest of your life!

The post The Best Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Your Wedding Day appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.