Cracked or Chipped Tooth in Northridge

Cracked or Chipped Tooth

Cracked or chipped teeth are common problems that can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, these types of tooth damage don’t heal on their own.

The thin outer shell of your tooth is called the enamel. Although enamel is the hardest substance in your body, a crack or chip can still happen. This can occur due to certain factors such as:

• Chewing on hard foods like nuts and ice 
• Using your teeth to open plastic packaging
• Grinding your teeth

Taking care of your teeth can help prevent cracks or chips. You should always:

• Brush and floss daily.
• Use a mouthguard if you actively grind your teeth at night
• Schedule regular dental checkups.
• Avoiding chewing on ice

What causes cracked or chipped teeth?

Cracks and chips in your teeth can happen in a variety of ways. They are most commonly caused by biting down on something hard or grinding your teeth (bruxism).

A cracked tooth is usually caused by biting down on something hard or fracturing the tooth. In some cases, people who chew gum often find that their gums will become sore when they’re chewing for an extended period. This can result in chipped or cracked teeth if the gum does not provide enough cushioning between your molars.

Do you have a Cracked tooth or a Chipped Tooth?

It can be hard to tell whether you have a crack or chip. If you think you have one, see your dentist for an examination.

A cracked tooth is usually caused by biting down on something hard or fracturing the tooth. The crack may be very small, or it may be large enough that some of the fillings have been lost and shows white underneath the enamel. A crack will also feel like a large hole when touched with your tongue or finger.

A chipped tooth is almost always caused by biting down on something hard (like an apple). The chip will be very small in size and can appear as if it were polished off during your last visit to the dentist.

Why you should see your dentist immediately if you experience pain:

Our Northridge dentist will use X-rays and take a close look at the problem to find out what type of chip or crack you have. This helps him figure out if it can be fixed with a filling, crown, or another procedure.

Hot or cold foods cause pain from a crack or chip. If you have sensitive teeth it may be an indication of decay underneath the enamel surface of your teeth as well as gum disease which affects the bone that supports your teeth.

The difference between cracked teeth and chipped teeth:

If you have a chipped tooth, your dentist may be able to repair it using bonding materials or filing. The dentist will apply a thin layer of this resin to the chip in your tooth, which hardens and fills in any gaps caused by the chip. This can help hide it from view so that others don’t notice it unless they look closely at your smile.

Crowns are used to cover a cracked tooth or the entire surface of a damaged tooth. They are made of porcelain or metal and cover all sides of your tooth above the gumline. A crown usually requires two visits to your dentist: one for taking an impression and one for placing it. The first visit is typically longer than the second because you need time to heal before getting your permanent crown attached.

Why Choose Us?

Kevin H Gropp, DDS – Dentist Northridge, has been in the business for years. We’re leading the industry in dental care and are always looking to improve our services. As your local dentist, you can trust that you’re in great care and extremely safe with us.

We take pride in being honest with our patients so they know exactly what they’re getting into before they make an appointment with us. If you have any questions about our practice, we encourage you to ask us directly—there are no surprises!

Don’t be afraid to tell your dentist if something is bothering you during a dental exam; this is why we offer such great customer service! Dental exams are very important for everyone’s health as well as for maintaining good oral hygiene habits throughout life—whether it’s once every six months or once every year (depending on what type of treatment plan has been prescribed). Have you had yours yet? Give us a call today!