Cracked Teeth
There are many different types of cracked teeth. Cracked teeth show a variety of symptoms, including erratic pain when chewing, possibly with release of biting pressure, or pain when your tooth is exposed to temperature extremes.
In many cases, the pain may come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth is causing the discomfort. If you are experiencing these dental symptoms or suspect a cracked tooth, give us a call. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depends on the type, location and extent of the crack. If you think you have a cracked tooth, it's important to seek treatment quickly, before the problem gets worse. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing.
How do I know if my tooth is cracked?
Cracked teeth show a variety of symptoms, including erratic pain when chewing, possibly with release of biting pressure, or pain when your tooth is exposed to temperature extremes. In many cases, the pain may come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth is causing the discomfort.
Why does a cracked tooth hurt?
To understand why a cracked tooth hurts, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is the inner soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains the tooth's nerves and blood vessels. When the outer hard tissues of the tooth are cracked, chewing can cause movement of the pieces, and the pulp can become irritated. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged to the point that it can no longer heal itself. The tooth will not only hurt when chewing but may also become sensitive to temperature extremes. In time, a cracked tooth may begin to hurt all by itself. Extensive cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the tooth.
Types of Cracked Teeth
Craze Lines
Tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel. These cracks are extremely common in adult teeth, are very shallow, cause no pain, and are of no concern beyond appearances.
Fractured Cusp
When a piece of a tooth's chewing surface breaks off, often around a filling. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp and usually doesn't cause much pain. Your dentist can place a new filling or crown to protect the tooth.
Cracked Tooth
A crack extending from the chewing surface vertically toward the root. If the crack extends into the pulp, root canal treatment and a crown can protect it. If the crack extends below the gum line, the tooth cannot be saved — making early treatment essential.
Split Tooth
Often the result of a long-term cracked tooth, identified by distinct segments that can be separated. A split tooth cannot be saved intact, though endodontic treatment may save a portion of the tooth depending on the position of the crack.
Vertical Root Fracture
Cracks that begin in the root and extend toward the chewing surface. They often show minimal signs and symptoms and may go unnoticed until the surrounding bone and gum become infected. Treatment may involve extraction, though endodontic surgery is sometimes appropriate.
After treatment, will my tooth completely heal?
Unlike a broken bone, the fracture in a cracked tooth will not heal. In spite of treatment, some cracks may continue to progress and separate, resulting in loss of the tooth. Placement of a crown on a cracked tooth provides maximum protection but does not guarantee success in all cases. The treatment you receive for your cracked tooth is important because it will relieve pain and reduce the likelihood that the crack will worsen. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing.
Prevention
- Don't chew on hard objects such as ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, or pens
- Don't clench or grind your teeth
- If you clench or grind while you sleep, talk to your dentist about a mouthguard
- Wear a mouthguard or protective mask when playing contact sports