Worn and cracked teeth
Teeth wear down from grinding, from clenching, and from years of chewing. Some crack. The first step is to look at where and how much, and to tell you what you can see yourself.
What happens
Looking at wear takes one visit. Protecting or rebuilding a tooth takes the visits that the choice needs.
- 01
Step 1: Exam and estimate
Dr. Sorensen shows you where the teeth are worn or cracked and what each choice would cost, in writing.
- 02
Step 2: A night guard, if it fits
A guard sits between your teeth while you sleep. It protects the surfaces; it does not stop the grinding.
- 03
Step 3: Rebuilding a worn tooth
A tooth that has worn down, or cracked, can be covered with a crown or an onlay.
- 04
Step 4: A check-up on the plan
She looks again at your next visit and tells you what has changed.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
A night guard needs no numbing. Rebuilding a tooth does, and you can ask for a break at any time.
If you wait
Wear continues and a crack can reach deeper into the tooth. Some people watch a worn tooth for a time; she will say what to look for.
Risks and after-care
A guard can feel odd for a few nights. Call us if it changes your bite or your jaw feels sore.
How it's billed
The fee is in your written estimate. A night guard is billed differently from a crown, and the fees page explains how.
How fees work
Questions about worn and cracked teeth
Does a night guard stop grinding?
No. It protects the surfaces of your teeth while you sleep.
Do I need a crown for a worn tooth?
Not always. She shows you the tooth and the options, including doing nothing for now.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
Sometimes. It depends on how deep the crack runs. She tells you what she sees, and whether another dentist should look.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Gail Sorensen, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Utah.