+ 1-614-974-2900 | Dentist in Reynoldsburg, OH | 6810 East Main Street | Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

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Whether a tooth has decay, has been weakened or was simply compromised in some way, teeth can break and crack. Cracked teeth may cause pain and sensitivity, if the crack is deep enough. In most cases, the crack will start out small and will eventually get larger as more pressure is applied to the tooth itself. Treating a cracked tooth is important and can help to prevent further damage to your smile.

What Can Cause a Cracked Tooth?

Many different factors can contribute to a cracked tooth. You might have bitten into a hard piece of food or had been chewing on ice. For some, they might have recently had a root canal, which automatically weakens the tooth and makes it more susceptible to breaking and cracking. Some of the reasons a tooth may crack include:

  • A tooth was recently root canaled
  •  You bit down into something hard (ice, pretzel)
  • A tooth has a large filling in it
  • You grind your teeth at night
  • You clench your teeth during the day

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Is a Cracked Tooth an Emergency?

Having a cracked tooth could be considered an emergency, especially if you’re experiencing pain and sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. Even if you’re not experiencing any type of discomfort or pain, it is still a good idea to make an appointment to come in for a checkup. Small cracks may be treated with simple filling material, but if the crack gets larger, a crown will need to be put into place and a root canal may be needed. If you’re experiencing severe pain and sensitivity that is getting in the way of you living your life, it is crucial that you make an appointment to be seen.

What Can Be Done for a Cracked Tooth?

For small cracks, filling or bonding material may be sufficient enough to prevent the crack from getting worse. Most teeth that have cracked will need to be crowned. This procedure involves removing most of the tooth’s structure and placing a custom-made crown on top to protect the rest of the tooth. It is important to note that there is such a thing as a craze line. These enamel-deep cracks run up and down certain teeth and are in no way a problem to your dental health. Craze lines are more of a cosmetic issue than anything that needs restoration.

Looking for an Emergency Dentist Near You?

If you think you may have a cracked tooth, call Dr. Hennawi’s Reynoldsburg office as soon as you can! At Stellar Dentistry, we strive to provide exceptional and personalized care for all of our patients and their families. 

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When you first went to the dentist to get your oral health diagnosed, you might have been told that you have cavities on the surface of your teeth. If this was the case, then you received fillings. You might have been under the impression that once your cavities were sealed with the filling material, the material would last forever. But due to the breakdown of the sealant material, chewing on something hard, or a break in the enamel of your teeth, you might now find that your filling has fallen out.

What do you do?

My Tooth Filling Fell Out - What Do I Do First?

First, you might try to decide on whether a loose or missing filling is a dental emergency, or not. While your the condition of your affected tooth isn’t a life-threatening emergency, it’s critical for you to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Here’s the key: Don’t schedule your appointment as if you’re scheduling a routine exam, or a treatment visit. Tell the receptionist that your filling has either loosened or fallen out of its position. You’ll be scheduled into the dental office under one of their emergency treatment slots.

Why is This Treated as an Emergency?

Why would your visit be treated as an emergency if your condition isn’t life-threatening? It’s mostly because the seal that prevented the inside of your tooth from becoming infected is now gone. What’s more, your dentist has previously drilled away portions of your tooth to make room for the filling material. Your filling also acts as strength reinforcement, and without it, your tooth could crack or crumble away.

Consider Bacterial Infections

One final reason why a damaged or missing filling is treated like a dental emergency is because of the high risk of bacterial infection. Since the inside of your teeth are now exposed, simple eating and drinking functions could set up conditions for nasty bacteria to enter into your gum’s blood vessels, causing you to need a root canal, or causing you to develop a sinus infection.

Looking for an Emergency Dentist Near You?

While it’s not the end of the world when your filling falls out, it is a condition that needs to be taken very seriously. If you think you need a dental exam, or would like to inquire more about this procedure, call Stellar Dentistry in Reynoldsburg, OH today and one of our helpful staff members will be happy to assist you.

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Schedule with Dr. Hennawi in Reynoldsburg, Ohio today!