How Serious is Cracked Tooth
A cracked or fractured tooth happens due to aging, tooth grinding, unscheduled trauma, and other factors. You might not have any symptoms of a cracked tooth. Or you might notice sensitivity, swelling, or pain. Your dentist has several solutions to treat a fracture, depending on the specific location and severity of the crack.
Are All Cracked Teeth the Same?
Teeth can crack in several unusual ways:
- Cracked tooth-This is a crack that runs from the biting surface down to the root. Sometimes it can travel below the gum line and into the root. A cracked tooth is not split open but the soft, inner pulp tissue of the tooth is quite often damaged.
- Craze lines-These are very tiny cracks that affect just the outer enamel surface of the tooth. They are quite common among adults and cause no pain. Craze lines do not need treatment.
- Cracked cusp-The cusp is the pointed edge of the biting surface. If a cusp does become damaged, the tooth can break. You will usually feel a sharp pain in the tooth when biting.
- Split tooth-This is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. The tooth splits into two parts.
- Vertical root fractures- A crack that starts in the root and travels upward to the biting surface.
Why does a Tooth Crack?
A number of things can cause a cracked tooth, such as:
- Extreme tooth grinding, which puts your teeth under enormous pressure.
- A large filling that has weakened the tooth.
- Chewing or biting something hard, like an ice cube, sweets, fruit stones or meat bones.
- A blow or hit to your chin or lower jaw.
- Gum disease resulting in bone loss. This instability can make the tooth more vulnerable to suffering from a root fracture.
- Sudden changes in your mouth temperature.
Will You Need to have Treatment?
It is essential to see your dentist as soon as possible to optimize the proper treatment and its effectiveness. If your tooth is not treated, a crack can lead to damage of the nerve, and then an abscess can develop. The tooth could need root canal treatment or even an extraction. In severe situations the tooth can split into two parts. If this does happen your dentist cannot save the tooth and it will need to be removed.
Will You Lose Your Tooth?
In some situations, the tooth may need to be removed, but not always. It is best to get treatment as soon as possible.
After Your Treatment Will Your Tooth Heal?
Unlike a broken bone, the crack in a tooth cannot heal completely. After your treatment, the crack could get worse, and you might still lose the tooth. It is important to get treatment because most cracked teeth will function normally for years after proper treatment. Your dentist will be able to recommend the best treatment.
Can You Stop Your Teeth from Cracking?
Not completely, but there are simple and easy precautions you can take:
- Wear a mouthguard- If you grind your teeth, have a guard made to protect your teeth at night. If you participate in sports, wear a personalized mouthguard.
- Unnecessary Pressure- Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects.