Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.
Chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged, and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.
When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.
These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.
This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.
A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, endodontic retreatment by the doctors and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.
A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise, the tooth will have to be extracted.
Ignoring a cracked tooth can lead to infections, severe pain, or even tooth loss. Whether you’re dealing with sharp sensitivity or visible craze lines, our Danbury team is here to restore your smile and your comfort.
Craze lines are tiny, superficial vertical cracks that only affect the outer enamel. They are common in adults and are usually a cosmetic concern rather than a medical one. A cracked tooth, however, involves a fracture that can extend from the chewing surface down toward the root. Unlike craze lines, a crack requires professional treatment to prevent it from worsening or causing an infection.
Cracks are often invisible to the naked eye and may even hide on X-rays. You should look for these common symptoms:
No, a cracked tooth cannot heal like a broken bone. Because teeth do not have the ability to regenerate tissue, the crack will likely expand over time due to the daily pressure of chewing. Early intervention is key; treating a small crack now with a filling or bonding is much simpler than needing a root canal or extraction later.
The treatment depends entirely on the location and depth of the crack:
