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Question:
Finding Signs of Cracked Teeth: I had a cracked tooth and the dentist put a crown on it.
I have never been able to comfortably chew on it and it is sensitive to cold. Sometimes it also gets an ache in it, down to the jawbone.
The dentist has x-rayed it twice and checked it with a strip and cannot find any sign that it needs a root canal and said the crown looks fine. He said perhaps the tooth behind it is cracking but he can't see definite a sign of that either.
I think the tooth was beyond saving and even the crown can't save it. Do I probably have to lose the tooth? ... Visitor from MD
Answer:
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing and treating a cracked tooth is being able to actually see the crack.
You may have all the symptoms, but the dentist may not be able to see the crack. It is very difficult to see a crack that is below the gum line even with the aid of digital x-rays.
The dentist would want to see where the crack is to determine the appropriate course of treatment. If the crack is through the frication (where the roots of the tooth spilt or fork) the prognosis is very poor and the recommended treatment may be to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant.
If the crack is into the nerve chamber, but has not passed the frication (spilt) the prognosis is good and the recommended treatment may be a root canal, build up and crown.
Editorial Staff
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