Cracked Teeth

Thanks to the aide of modern technology and dental advancements, dentists are helping people keep their teeth longer. Since people are living longer, their teeth are being exposed to many more years of of behavior that induces cracks in teeth. This behavior includes clenching, grinding, and chewing on hard objects.

How do I know if my tooth is cracked?

The most common symptoms of a cracked tooth are pain and pressure. Many people experience these symptoms when chewing or biting. Others experience pain when the tooth is exposed to extreme hot or cold temperature changes. In many cases, the pain may come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth is causing the discomfort.

How will my cracked tooth be treated?

There are many different types of cracked teeth. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depends on the type, location, and extent of the crack. There are four types of cracks: a craze line, a fractured cusp, a cracked tooth, and a split tooth.

Craze Lines

Craze lines are tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel. These cracks are extremely common in adult teeth. Craze lines are very shallow, cause no pain, and are only a cosmetic concern.

Fractured Cusp

When a cusp (the pointed part of the chewing surface) becomes weakened, a fracture sometimes results. The weakened cusp may break off by itself or it may have to be removed by your dentist. This usually relieves the pain. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal treatment is generally not needed. Your dentist will usually restore your tooth with a full crown.

Cracked Tooth

This crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth vertically towards the root. A cracked tooth does not separate completely into two individual parts. The position of this type of crack usually causes damage to the pulp. Root canal treatment is frequently needed to treat the injured pulp. Your dentist will then restore your tooth with a crown to hold the pieces together and protect the cracked tooth. Sometimes, the crack extends below the gingival tissue line. This requires the tooth to be extracted. Early diagnosis is important. A cracked tooth that is not treated will progressively worsen, eventually resulting in the loss of the tooth. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in saving the tooth.

Split Tooth

A split tooth is often the result of the long-term progression of a cracked tooth. The split tooth is identified by a crack with distinct segments that can be separated. A split tooth cannot be saved intact. The position and extent of the crack determine if any portion of the tooth can be saved. In rare instances, endodontic treatment and a crown or other restoration by your dentist may be used to save a portion of the tooth.

Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of the tooth and extend toward the chewing surface. They often show minimal signs and symptoms and may therefore go unnoticed for some time. Vertical root fractures are often discovered when the surrounding bone and gum become infected. Treatment may involve extraction of the tooth. However, endodontic surgery is sometimes appropriate if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root.

What can I do to prevent my teeth from cracking?

Although you cannot completely prevent getting a cracked tooth, the following precautions will make you less susceptible to a crack.

• 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 your teeth while you sleep, talk to your dentist about getting a retainer or other mouth guard to protect your teeth.
• Wear a mouth guard or protective mask when playing contact sports.