The Truth about a Cracked Tooth

Teeth are very strong, and with proper care they'll last a lifetime. But even so, damage and decay can put your teeth at risk of chips and cracks. If you have a cracked tooth, getting treatment ASAP is important to prevent pain and further cracking. A tooth can crack in a number of different ways, and each of these can require a different kind of treatment to repair the damage.

Craze Lines

These are fine cracks that only affect the tooth's outer enamel. They don't extend into softer tissues such as dentin and pulp, so they're very minor and they don't cause pain or other problems. As a result they don't require immediate treatment, although some people might want to have a cosmetic restoration to improve the appearance.

Fractured Cusp

The cusps of teeth are the hard protrusions that act as biting surfaces. These can become fractured, especially if the cusp has been repaired with a filling. In most cases the pulp inside the tooth isn't damaged, and there's little or no pain. To fix this, your dentist will replace the filling to include the fractured area.

Cracked Tooth

Tooth cracks usually form at the top of the tooth, where the chewing surface is located. They extend vertically down the tooth, and may or may not extend to the root. Getting a cracked tooth treated quickly is important, as without treatment the crack may continue to lengthen. Providing the crack is treated before it extends to the gumline, it can be treated with a root canal. However if the crack extends past the gumline, the only solution is to extract the tooth.

Split Tooth

A split tooth is usually one that was left untreated after suffering a crack. If the crack extends all the way through the tooth, it may actually split into two parts. At this stage only a portion of the tooth can be saved, and in some cases extraction may be the only possible treatment.

Cracked Tooth Root

These cracks start at the root of a tooth rather than the crown, and extend up towards the surface. Because they're situated below the gumline they're not always diagnosed right away, and may only be noticed if the gum or bone becomes infected. A root canal may save the tooth, but if the damage is too extensive it may need to be extracted.

Take Care of Teeth to Prevent Cracks

While most cracks can be restored, don't forget that prevention is a better strategy! Avoid chewing hard objects, try to avoid habits like tooth-grinding, and take care of your teeth with regular dental visits and good oral hygiene to help prevent cracks and other types of damage.

Contact Sandy Point Dental for more information about tooth cracks or to schedule an appointment to have your teeth examined and restored by our same-day-crown, CEREC technology.