Cracked Tooth Treatments
A cracked tooth can be caused by biting or chewing hard foods, grinding your teeth, and even from just natural aging. It is quite a common condition and a primary cause of tooth loss.
Some Causes of a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth can occur from a variety of issues, such as:
- Pressure from the grinding of teeth.
- Large fillings that weaken the integrity of the tooth.
- Chewing or biting on hard foods.
- A blow to the mouth, like a car accident, sporting injury, or even a fall.
- Temperature changes in your mouth, from extreme hot to ice cold.
- Natural age, with a cracked tooth occurring in people over 50.
Types of a Cracked Tooth
Cracks will appear as:
- Craze lines- Tiny cracks in the enamel of the tooth. They cause no pain and do not require any treatment.
- Fractured cusp- This crack usually occurs around a dental filling. It does not affect the pulp of the tooth, which is the living tissue center of the tooth, and as a result usually does not cause pain.
- Cracks that extend into the gum line- A tooth that has a vertical crack not reaching the gum line is worth saving. If the crack extends below the gum line, the tooth might need to be extracted.
- Split tooth- A tooth with a crack that goes below the gum line. It may be separated into two segments. With an extensive crack like this, it is doubtful the tooth can be saved.
- Vertical root fracture- The crack begins below the gum line and then travels upward. It often does not produce symptoms unless the tooth becomes infected.
Treatment for a Cracked Tooth
Your treatment will depend on the location of the crack, size, your symptoms, and whether the crack extends into the gum line. Based on these factors, your dentist will recommend one of the following:
- Bonding- With this procedure, your dentist just uses resin to fill the crack, restoring both the look and function of the tooth.
- Crown- A dental crown is a common restoration made of porcelain or ceramic. It fits over the damaged tooth like a cap.
Your dentist first removes a thin layer of enamel to make room for the crown. Then an impression of the tooth is made, a color is chosen that matches your teeth, and a dental lab creates the crown. When the crown is finished, your dentist bonds it over your cracked tooth. With proper care, a crown will last a lifetime. - Root canal- When a crack extends into the pulp, your dentist will most likely recommend a root canal to remove the damaged pulp and restore some structural integrity to the tooth. This common procedure will prevent the tooth from becoming infected any further or weakening.
- Extraction- When the physical structure of the tooth, the nerves or roots are damaged, removing the tooth may be your only option.
- No treatment- You could 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 might suggest leaving them alone.
If you are concerned about a possible cracked tooth, make an appointment to see your dentist soon.