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Your Guide to Cracked Teeth       

Today, people are living longer, and better lives. The habits that we practice, add many more years of wear and tear to the human tooth. We also told to develop bad habits such as grinding, clenching, and chewing on hard objects. Any one of a number of these or more reasons, can lead to a crack.

Cracked teeth can show a variety of symptoms.  These may include erratic pain when chewing, or pain when the tooth is exposed to rapid temperature changes. The pain may come and go.  However, much like a crack in a windshield or a wall, the crack will get larger with time. When the outer hard layers of the tooth, such as the dentin and enamel, become cracked, chewing can cause movement between the pieces, and irritate the inner pulp and nervous system of the tooth. Eventually, the inside of the tooth can become so damaged that it is beyond repair.

Below is a list of several different types of cracks:

Craze Lines

Craze lines are tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel.  These are extremely common in adult teeth.  Craze lines are very shallow, cause no pain, and are of no concern beyond appearance.

Fractured Cusp

When a cusp ( the pointed part of the chewing surface ) becomes weakened, a fracture sometimes results.  The weakened cusp may break off by itself or may have to be removed by the dentist. When this happens, the pain will usually subside. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal treatment is seldom needed.  The tooth will usually be restored by your dentist with a full crown.

Cracked Tooth

This crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth vertically towards the root. A cracked tooth is not completely separated into two segments.  Because of the position of the crack, damage to the pulp is common. Root canal treatment is frequently needed to treat the injured pulp Your dentist will then restore your tooth with a full crown to bind and protect the cracked tooth. If the crack extends past the gum line, the tooth may have to be extracted.

Split Tooth  

A split tooth is often the result of the long term progression of a cracked tooth.  The split is identified by a crack with distinct segments that can be separated.  A split tooth can never be saved intact. The position and extent of the crack will determine if , and how much, of the tooth can be saved.  In some instances, Endodontic treatment and a crown or other restoration may be used to save a portion of the tooth.

Vertical Root Fracture  

Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of the tooth and extend towards the chewing surface.  They often sow minimal signs and symptoms, and may go unnoticed for some time. Vertical root fractures are often discovered when the surrounding gum and bone becomes infected.  Treatment usually involves removal of the tooth. However, treatment of the tooth may be possible if a large enough portion may be saved.

Unlike a broken bone, the fracture in a tooth will never heal. Some cracks may continue to progress until you have no option but to remove the tooth.  Placement of a crown on a cracked tooth provides maximum protection, but does not guarantee success. To relieve pain and to ensure the likelihood that the crack is not worsening, it is important to get the best treatment for your cracked tooth.  Once treated, most cracked teeth will continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing.

© 2006 Aventura Endodontic Associates, PA