Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth can cause pain when chewing, temperature sensitivity, and sharp discomfort when biting down. If left untreated, cracks can worsen, leading to infection, tooth decay, or even tooth loss. Common causes include grinding, trauma, and weakened enamel. Depending on the severity, treatment options may include dental bonding, crowns, root canal therapy, or extraction. Early detection is crucial for preserving your natural tooth and preventing further complications. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, schedule an appointment today for expert evaluation and treatment.
Cracked Teeth: Symptoms and Risks
Cracked teeth can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
• Pain when chewing or biting.
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
• Sharp pain when releasing biting pressure.
In many cases, the pain may come and go, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of discomfort.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Why Do Cracked Teeth Hurt?
When you chew, the cracked pieces of the tooth may shift slightly, irritating the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth). When you release pressure, the crack may snap shut, causing sudden, sharp pain.
Over time, the pulp can become damaged or inflamed, leading to constant pain—even when you’re not eating. If left untreated, the crack can worsen and may result in a pulp infection, which can spread to the surrounding bone and gums.
Craze Lines
Craze lines are tiny, superficial cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. They are common in adults and do not typically require treatment, as they pose no serious risk.
Fractured Cusp
When a tooth’s cusp (the pointed part of a chewing surface) becomes weakened, it may fracture or break off. In most cases, this does not affect the tooth’s pulp, meaning a root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will typically restore the tooth using a full crown to protect it.
Treatable Cracked Tooth
A treatable cracked tooth is one where the crack extends from the chewing surface down towards the root. Sometimes, the crack may go below the gum line and continue into the root itself.
• Damage to the pulp is common, which often requires root canal treatment.
• If left untreated, the crack can worsen, leading to tooth loss.
• Early detection is key to saving the tooth.
Split Tooth
A split tooth occurs when a cracked tooth is left untreated, causing it to fully separate into distinct segments.
• A split tooth cannot be saved intact.
• Depending on the extent and location of the split, part of the tooth may be salvageable.
• In some cases, endodontic retreatment and restoration may help preserve a portion of the tooth.
Vertical Root Fracture
A vertical root fracture starts at the root and extends upward towards the chewing surface.
• These fractures often go unnoticed because they cause minimal symptoms.
• If a portion of the tooth can be saved, endodontic surgery may be an option.
• In most cases, however, the tooth will need to be extracted.