Cracked Teeth

If you break a tooth, you can count on Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge for restorations. We are experienced providers of implant-supported crowns, but we work hard to save natural teeth. Although nobody plans to chip or crack a crown, there are some steps we hope our patients will remember to take in order to make a successful restoration likelier.


In ordinary circumstances, it is the molars that are most vulnerable to breaking. They have a large surface to distribute bite force across, but some things are still too hard for them and break their cusps or cause them to split down the middle. Our other teeth cannot handle nearly as much force and are likely to break or tilt if they are used for chewing. When a tooth breaks, patients should rinse their mouths with salt water. They should cover the broken tooth with sugar-free chewing gum or if they have any nearby, orthodontic wax.


The smallest cracks, which are called craze lines, are a cosmetic issue and may be covered with veneers. Bonding can be used to repair small chips and cracks, but large fissures may require the fabrication of a partial crown. If a tooth has been sheared away, a full crown will be needed and a root canal may be necessary to eliminate the risk of infection. We’ll use x-rays to determine whether a tooth is in good enough condition to be saved or if it needs to be extracted and replaced. If a tooth was knocked out completely but is not cracked, we may be able to put it back in.


Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91st St, Suite 1C, Brooklyn, New York, 11209. To schedule an appointment, visit Bernstein Dental Care or call 718-833-9191.


 

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