Cracked Tooth Treatment Options
Teeth may crack for a number of reasons, whether chewing from on hard foods or from grinding your teeth at night while sleeping. Usually, it’s not until you experience cracked tooth syndrome (acute pain before and after biting down) that all the alarm bells start going off. That leads to questions like, “What’s wrong with my tooth? Is it repairable, or will the tooth have to be removed? How is a cracked tooth treated?” Of course, the best place to get answers for your specific situation is at our dental office, so you’ll want to schedule an appointment to address your cracked tooth right away. Until then, read this post to learn what type of fracture you may be experiencing and potential treatment options to restore your cracked tooth at our Kingston, PA office.
What is a Cracked Tooth?
Cracks in teeth are partial fractures that can appear on the crowns of teeth and might even extend under the gum line. Some tooth cracks are not symptomatic, but most fractures cause severe pain before and after biting down.
A crack commonly forms on the back and front portions of a tooth. Occasionally, they do appear on the front teeth due to trauma or a weakened dental restoration. Another location cracks commonly occur are on the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth (premolars and molars). These cracks are caused by chewing on hard objects and/or constant biting pressure.
Types of Tooth Fractures
These are the most common types of tooth fractures our patient’s experience:
Cracked Tooth (To the Gums)
When a tooth crack extends below the gum line, the entire tooth typically needs to be removed. However, if the break hasn’t reached the gum line, it can be saved with a dental restoration such as a filling, dental bonding, or crown. More often than not, these fractures cause acute pain and tooth sensitivity.
Craze Lines
Over time, our teeth can develop small vertical cracks in the tooth enamel. These cracks are typically harmless and develop as we age. The good news is that they don’t cause pain or require restorative treatment.
Split Tooth
This type of tooth fracture may be caused by leaving a severely cracked tooth untreated, frequent and harmful forces to dental restorations, or a traumatic injury to a tooth. A split tends to affect almost every surface of the tooth, down to the nerve. The dentist may refer to this type of fracture as a complete fracture. Usually, it’s impossible to save a tooth that’s been given this diagnosis.
Fractured Cusp
These types of fractures can develop in teeth with deep cavities and large dental fillings. If you have a fractured cusp, they are relatively easy to diagnose, treat and have a good prognosis. Typically, fractured cusps do not extend to the nerve (pulp), which contains the tooth’s blood supply. They don’t generally cause pain but can cause tooth sensitivity when the second layer of tooth structure is exposed, called dentin.
Vertical Root Fractures
A vertical root fracture originates below the gum line and travels upward. These types of fractures appear more commonly in root canal treated teeth. Usually, the dentist advises removing a tooth with vertical root fractures.
What Causes Teeth to Crack?
Although tooth enamel is the hardest known substance in the human body, frequent and repetitive forces can damage tooth structures, resulting in a minor crack that can lead to a major fracture with time. Tooth fractures are seen more commonly in people over the age of 50. However, adults can experience them at any age, depending on their lifestyle.
The primary causes of cracked teeth include:
- Chewing on hard foods, i.e., hard candies, ice cubes, and popcorn kernels
- Excessive clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Injury or trauma from a fall, car accident, or sports
- Weakened teeth structures caused by aging, diet, mediations, or health conditions
- Thermal stressors (eating and drinking very hot and cold substances)
- Extensive dental restorations like fillings can weaken tooth structures with time.
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
If you have a cracked tooth, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet substances
- Gum inflammation around the affected area
- Random pain in the affected tooth
- Cracked Tooth Syndrome-severe pain before or after biting down on your back teeth
Treatment Options for a Cracked Tooth
Treatment traditionally isn’t necessary if you have craze lines, the small superficial teeth cracks. However, treatment is needed if you have a break below the gums, a vertical root fracture, a split tooth, or a fractured cusp.
Common treatment options to restore a cracked tooth include:
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a painless procedure that can be completed in one dental visit. During the appointment, a curing light and dental adhesive are used in combination with a composite resin. The tooth-colored material bonds to the teeth and fills in any noticeable crack defects.
Dental Crowns
When a tooth fracture is severe but doesn’t require the tooth to be removed completely, a dental crown is an ideal treatment option. A crown is a fake tooth that fits over a decayed, damaged, or weakened tooth. The materials used to make a crown include ceramics, metals, or composite resin. A dental crown will reinforce the cracked parts of the tooth and restore it to its natural shape, function, and appearance.
Root Canal Therapy
Often, a crack in a tooth can reach the nerve (pulp). In those cases, root canal treatment is necessary to restore the tooth. Root canals also referred to as endodontic treatment, are effectively used to treat inflamed or infected roots. Following a completed root canal, a crown is recommended to be placed over the now more fragile tooth.
However, if the tooth is not savable due to a deep crack or infection, it will need to be extracted instead.
Tooth Extractions
The dentist typically extracts teeth that are affected by trauma, injury, damage or, extreme decay. If a tooth fracture extends below the gum line, removing the entire tooth, including root pieces, is necessary.
After the procedure, your dentist will examine the extraction site and remove any remaining fragments. The dentist will advise opting for a tooth replacement like a dental implant, bridge, or partial after the tooth is removed.
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Some tooth fractures are considered emergencies, and some are not. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort from sharp fragments in your mouth, this is regarded as a dental emergency, and you need to call our office right away. If the fracture is not causing pain or discomfort, it is not classified as a dental emergency; however, you should still give us a call to schedule an appointment.
Schedule an Appointment
The majority of cracks can be prevented by simply wearing a custom night guard while sleeping and avoiding chewing on hard foods. Furthermore, by maintaining annual cleanings and exams, your dentist can check-in regularly on the condition of your teeth and address a crack early before it becomes a dental emergency.
Our dentists would be happy to provide restorative care for your cracked tooth or advise you on what preventive options we can offer to avoid this common dental issue. Feel free to call our Kingston, PA office or schedule an appointment below. We look forward to providing the utmost care for you and your family.
