16 Jul Fractured Tooth: Will a dental crown help?
While teeth are strong, they are susceptible to injury. Accidental falls, traumatic injuries to the face, or even something as mundane as accidentally biting down on an olive pit can fracture a tooth. A fractured tooth often requires the need for a dental crown and in some cases, root canal therapy to ensure that the tooth is protected from internal infection and further damage. Although teeth are similar to other mineralized tissues in the body such as bone, they cannot self-heal. When teeth are damaged, a dentist must repair them.
What is a dental crown exactly?
Think of a dental crown as a tooth-shaped cap that is designed to fit over the whole tooth. Unlike an inlay or a filling, which only restores a portion of the tooth, a crown will restore all tooth structure that exists above the gum line. Crowns are made to precise measurements so that they fit over your tooth properly and support neighboring teeth. Made by dental technicians, patients have a number of options to choose from when it comes to the materials used to construct a crown. The most common materials are porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and metal alloys like silver or gold.
Why is a tooth fracture different from a cavity?
If detected early, a cavity only affects a small portion of the tooth. A fracture, however, can expose the sensitive interior structures such as the root canal to harmful oral bacteria. Inside the tooth, a healthy root canal is sealed off from exposure to oral bacteria. When a tooth is fractured, it can breach the root canal. Housing the nerves of a tooth and cellular material, an exposed root canal is defenseless against harmful bacteria and will ultimately become infected and inflamed. This can produce discomfort when eating and toothaches.
If a root canal is infected, our dentist will thoroughly remove the infection and reseal the root canal chamber. A dental crown will then be bonded over the tooth for further protection. If the root canal is unaffected by the fracture, our dentist will likely place a crown to hold the tooth together and restore its size and shape.
To book an appointment, contact our friendly and experienced team at Aesthetic Dental Partners today.