Crack a filling? It can be hard to tell sometimes. Often there’s pain, but not always. In fact, many people can crack a filling without even realizing it. If you have cracked a filling — or worry that you might have — call us right away. It’s not an immediate dental emergency, but we want to take care of it. Don’t ignore the issue, even if there’s no pain. The tooth underneath the filling is now exposed. The cavity underneath it will continue to grow. If left untreated, you may develop a root canal. The entire tooth could even splinter and may need to be extracted. Then you may be left needing a dental implant, which can be an effective remedy but is also very expensive. If you are in pain, try over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil until we can see you. Cold compresses can also help reduce the swelling.
