Repairing Chipped Or Broken Teeth

How Do You Chip or Crack Your Teeth?

Enamel, the hardest substance in your body, has its limits. Chewing on hard candy or ice, biting down hard, receiving a blow to the face, or grinding your teeth at night can all cause teeth to chip or crack. Poor hygiene and cavities can also weaken teeth, making them more vulnerable to damage.

You may not feel any pain when you chip a tooth unless the damage is significant enough to expose the tooth’s inner layers. A cracked tooth might only affect the enamel and may not cause pain unless you bite down hard or the temperature in your mouth changes. Often, a crack might not be visible to the naked eye, making it important to visit your general dentist regularly. Your dentist can detect problems early, preventing them from becoming more painful or serious.

What Types Of Broken Or Chipped Teeth Would Dr. McKissock Recommend Fixing?

  • • Craze Lines: These are tiny cracks in the outer layer of enamel and are very common in adults. They are shallow and painless, and while not cosmetically ideal, they don’t require treatment.
  • • Fractured Cusp: If the cusp becomes weakened and breaks, it can be removed by either Dr. McKissock or Dr. Kersten. Removing the cusp often relieves pain, and a crown may be recommended to restore the tooth.
  • • Cracked Teeth: Some cracks extend from the chewing surface into the root of the tooth. If the crack affects the pulp, Dr. McKissock or Dr. Kersten may recommend root canal treatment. Often, restoring these teeth with a durable filling deep in the root is recommended at the time of the root canal treatment.
  • • Split Tooth: A cracked tooth may split into two parts over time. Depending on the severity, the tooth may not be salvageable, but part of it might be saved with a crown or another restorative procedure.
  • • Vertical Root Fractures: These cracks begin at the root of a tooth and can be difficult to identify. Dr. McKissock and Dr. Kersten utilize careful attention to your symptoms and may recommend endodontic treatment, or extraction may be necessary to address these fractures.

How To Prevent Cracked or Chipped Teeth

While it’s difficult to prevent cracking or chipping your teeth completely, here are some tips that Dr. McKissock and Dr. Kersten suggest to help minimize damage:

  • • Avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, pens, hard candy, or other hard objects.
  • • Don’t clench or grind your teeth.
  • • If you grind or clench your teeth while sleeping, talk to Dr. McKissock or Dr. Kersten about getting a retainer or mouthguard.
  • • Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.

If you want a closer examination of your teeth or have concerns about cracked or chipped teeth, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call (719) 488-2188 or email us to schedule a consultation.