How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

The Mystery of the Cracked Tooth

One of the most difficult things for a dentist to diagnose is a Cracked Tooth because:

• The crack in the tooth may not be visible
• There may no pain, no warning that a tooth is cracked
• There may be pain radiating from a cracked tooth, but the source of the pain may be difficult to pinpoint.

Some clues that a tooth is cracked are:

• Intermittent pain
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• Pain when releasing after biting down

Because the signs and symptoms of a Cracked Tooth can be so mysterious, it’s important to get regular checkups. A small crack in a tooth can get bigger and eventually result in the loss of the tooth if not treated promptly.

The Anatomy of a Tooth

Teeth are protected by a coating of enamel, the strongest substance in our bodies. Years of chewing and grinding can wear down the enamel and expose the layer underneath, with is made up of a hard tissue called dentin. Within the dentin is a layer of soft tissue called pulp. The pulp is in the crown as well as the root of the tooth. Inside the pulp are the nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. Cementum is the material, softer than enamel, that surrounds the outer surface of the root of the tooth.

Solving the Mystery of the Cracked Tooth

Craze Lines

It is very common for adults to have tiny cracks in the enamel of their teeth. These are called Craze Lines. They are shallow, do not cause pain and do not usually require treatment. If they interfere with the appearance of a tooth, the can be repaired with bonding or Dental Veneers.

How to Fix a Fractured Cusp

If the top of a tooth is cracked, it is called a Fractured Cusp. A Fractured Cusp weakens the tooth, and part of the tooth may break off. A Fractured Cusp can usually be repaired by removing the part that is fractured and placing a crown over the tooth.

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

If the crack in a tooth extends from the top chewing surface of the tooth toward the root of the tooth, but hasn’t caused the tooth to separate into pieces, it may be treatable, even if it has extended into the pulp. The treatment may be a root canal, in which the nerve and pulp are removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed, and a crown put into place. It’s important to treat a cracked tooth as soon as possible, to prevent infection.

How to Fix a Spilt Tooth

A crack in a tooth that goes untreated can result in the crack traveling down through the tooth and splitting into separate parts. Sometime as portion of the tooth can be saved, but often a split tooth causes infection, and even an abscess, and the tooth and may have to be removed.

How to Fix a Vertical Root Fracture

A Vertical Root Fracture can go unnoticed for a long time before any signs or symptoms appear. Vertical Root Fractures are cracks that start at the root of the tooth and extend upward, toward the chewing surface of the tooth. They often cause infection of the surrounding bone and gum, and it’s the pain from the infection that leads to the discovery of the Fracture. Teeth with Vertical Root Fractures usually have to be extracted.

Preventing Cracked Teeth

Our teeth are strong, and can hold up pretty well for many years, with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Clenching, grinding, extreme food temperatures, chewing on hard foods and so many of the other things we do with our teeth, can lead to a crack in a tooth. The best prevention is following a good home oral health regime and getting regular checkups.

Contact us for a consultation. We will be glad to answer any questions you have about preventive dental care and all the services we offer to keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful.