Cracked Tooth Treatments
A cracked tooth can be the result of biting or chewing hard foods, clenching, and grinding your teeth, and even from just natural aging. It is a common occurrence and a primary cause of tooth loss.
Some Causes of a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth can happen from a number of issues, such as:
- The intense pressure from the grinding of teeth.
- Larger fillings that end up weakening the integrity of the tooth.
- Chewing or biting on hard objects and foods.
- A blow to the mouth, like a sporting injury, an accident, or a fall.
- Temperature changes in your mouth, from hot to ice cold.
- Natural aging, with a cracked tooth occurring often in people over 50.
Types of a Cracked Tooth
Cracks will appear as:
- Craze lines- Small cracks in the enamel of the tooth. They cause no pain and require no treatment.
- Fractured cusp- A crack that usually occurs around a dental filling. It will not affect the pulp of the tooth, which is the living tissue in the center of the tooth, and usually does not cause pain.
- Cracks that extend into the gum line- A tooth having a vertical crack not reaching the gum line is indeed worth saving. If the crack extends beneath the gum line, the tooth may need to be extracted.
- Split tooth- A tooth with a crack that travels below the gum line. It might be separated into two segments. With this kind of intensive crack, it is difficult to save the tooth.
- Vertical root fracture- The crack starts below the gum line and travels upward. It often does not produce any symptoms unless an infection develops.
Treatment for a Cracked Tooth
Your optimal treatment will be based on the location of the crack, the size, your symptoms, and whether the crack extends below the gum line. Based on these factors, common treatments are one of the following:
Bonding- With this solution, your dentist uses resin to fill the crack, restoring both the function and the look of the tooth.
Crown- A dental crown is a popular restoration made of porcelain or ceramic. It fits perfectly over the damaged tooth like a cap.
Your dentist will first remove a thin layer of enamel to make room for the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth, a color is chosen to match your teeth, and a dental lab custom creates the crown. When the crown is completed, your dentist glues it over the cracked tooth. A crown can last a lifetime if cared for properly.
Root canal- When a crack reaches the pulp, your dentist will recommend a root canal to remove the damaged pulp and restore structural integrity to the tooth. This common procedure prevents the tooth from becoming infected and weakening further.
Extraction- If the physical structure of the tooth, the nerves or roots are damaged, then removing the tooth might be your last option.
No treatment- You may have tiny hairline cracks in the surface enamel of your teeth. If these cracks do not affect your appearance and are not painful, your dentist may suggest leaving them alone.
If you think you might have a possible cracked tooth, make an appointment to visit your dentist soon.