How Serious is Cracked Tooth?
A cracked tooth could be the result of natural aging, tooth clenching or grinding, unscheduled trauma, or other issues. You might not have any identifiable symptoms of a cracked tooth. Or you may notice increased sensitivity, discomfort, or swelling. Your dentist will have options to treat the fracture, depending on the severity of the crack and the exact location.
Are All Cracked Teeth the Same?
Teeth will crack in several diverse ways:
- Craze lines- These are very tiny cracks affecting just the outer enamel surface of the tooth. They are quite common in older adults and are not painful. Most often, no treatment is required for craze lines.
- Cracked tooth- A crack that progresses from the biting surface to the root. It might extend below the gum line and even into the root. A cracked tooth often damages the inner pulp tissue.
- Cracked cusp- The cusp is the pointed segment of the biting surface. If a cusp is cracked, the tooth may break. You could experience sharp pain in your tooth when biting or chewing.
- Split tooth- Often the progression of an untreated cracked tooth, which now splits into two parts.
- Vertical root fractures- A crack begins at the root and advances upward to the biting surface.
What Causes a Tooth Crack?
A variety of reasons can result in a cracked tooth, such as:
- Intense and consistent tooth clenching and grinding, which creates enormous pressure.
- A large filling that has weakened the integrity and structure of the tooth.
- Biting or chewing hard objects, like certain sweets, fruit stones, ice cubes, or meat bones.
- A physical blow to your chin, lower jaw, or mouth.
- Gum disease, which results in bone loss. This instability will make the tooth more vulnerable to a fracture.
- Extreme changes in your mouth temperature.
Will You Need to Have the Cracked Tooth Treated?
It is crucial to see your dentist soon to take advantage of the best treatment. If you do not seek treatment promptly, a crack might progress to nerve damage, and then an abscess will develop. The tooth will now regress to need root canal treatment or even extraction. A tooth can even split in half. If this is the case, your dentist can no longer save the tooth, and it must be extracted.
Will You Lose Your Tooth?
In some worst-case scenarios, the tooth will need to be removed, but only as a last resort. It is best to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid this solution.
After Your Treatment, Will Your Tooth Heal?
Unlike a broken bone in your body, a cracked tooth does not heal completely. After your treatment, the crack might get worse, and you could still lose the tooth. It is imperative to receive proper treatment as soon as possible because most cracked teeth will function normally for years after treatment. Your dentist will examine and provide the best solution.
Can You Stop Your Teeth from Cracking?
No, you cannot stop your teeth from cracking, but there are simple precautions you can take:
- Unnecessary pressure- Simply avoid any habit of biting and chewing on hard objects.
- Wear a mouthguard- If you clench or grind your teeth, simply have a guard fabricated to protect your teeth at night. If you actively participate in contact sports, just wear a personalized mouthguard.