Repairing a cracked tooth depends on the extent of the crack and where the crack is located. Treatment options include the following:
Filling: When a crack extends into the pulp of the tooth, the pulp may become infected, and the tooth will require either a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.
Crown: If the crack is too deep, the tooth may require that it be protected with the placement of a crown.
Yes. A cracked tooth can be repaired through root canal therapy, dental bonding, or dental crowns.
In some cases, yes. If your tooth's pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue) becomes exposed due to a cracked tooth, it can create an infection. In this case, root canal therapy is necessary to remove the infection and save the tooth.
Tooth extraction is very rarely needed. In fact, fixing your tooth with a dental crown can prevent the need for extraction. In rare cases, a cracked tooth may be so damaged that extraction is the only option.
Depending on the severity of the crack, the recovery time will vary. Pain medication and antibiotics may be prescribed. If the crack was severe or a deep fracture, a crown may be placed over the tooth.