Can Cracked Tooth Be Saved?
A cracked tooth might be the result of aging, tooth grinding, trauma, or other causes. You may not have obvious symptoms of a cracked tooth. You could experience increased sensitivity, swelling, or even discomfort. Your dentist will have the appropriate treatment to treat your cracked tooth, based on the location and the severity.
A fractured tooth, usually called a cracked tooth, is a crack that is visible in your tooth. The crack may be tiny and seem harmless, or it could cause your tooth to split or even break.
A cracked tooth is more frequent in a child and an older adult, but it can happen to anyone. If you think you might have a cracked tooth, see your dentist soon.
What Parts of a Tooth Can Crack?
All teeth consist of two parts:
- The crown- The visible part of the tooth entirely above your gums.
- The root- The part completely below your gums.
The crown and root are both made up of these layers:
- Enamel- The strong, tough, white outside surface.
- Dentin- The middle layer directly beneath the enamel.
- Pulp- The soft inner tissue at the center, which is full of nerves and blood vessels.
A crack might affect any of these layers. The most appropriate treatment for your cracked tooth will be based on the location and the severity of the crack.
A cracked tooth might hurt or be sensitive, or some cracks may have no symptoms. Pursuing proper treatment will increase your likelihood of repairing and restoring the cracked tooth.
Symptoms and Causes
The most frequent causes of a cracked tooth are:
- Age, as a cracked tooth is more likely to occur after the age of fifty.
- Teeth grinding or clenching, called bruxism.
- Biting hard objects, like hard candy, popcorn kernels, or ice.
- Habits, such as aggressive gum chewing.
- A dental filling or a root canal, which weakens the tooth.
- Trauma, such as falls, accidents, sports injuries, or physical violence.
Which Teeth are Most Likely to Crack?
Cracks happen more often on your upper front teeth and on the teeth in the rear of your lower jaw. People usually crack just one tooth, but trauma or a severe injury can cause cracks in multiple teeth. If you are experiencing cavities, you are at a higher risk of having a cracked tooth.
What are the Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome?
The main symptoms of a cracked tooth include:
- Intermittent pain.
- A toothache while biting.
- An increased sensitivity to temperature change.
- Swelling around the tooth.
Treatment to Save a Cracked Tooth
Treatment for a cracked tooth will depend on the kind of crack. Treatments include:
- Bonding- A plastic resin that easily fills and protects the crack.
- Cosmetic contouring- The polishing of the rough edges of the tooth.
- Crown- A ceramic or porcelain protective cap placed over the cracked tooth.
- Veneer- A thin layer of porcelain applied to the front surface of a tooth. This option is if you have an adequate amount of the natural tooth remaining.
- Root canal- Removal of all infected tissue when the crack has entered the pulp chamber.
- Extraction- The complete removal of your damaged tooth.
Your dentist might recommend not repairing a cracked tooth. This could happen if the fracture does not:
- Negatively impact the healthy appearance of your natural smile.
- Result in any discomfort.
- Just a hairline crack, not extending deeper.