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Fix your cracked tooth

All about cracked teeth and how to fix the cracked teeth

Tooth can get cracked when eating your favourite food and how do you fix it? What caused the tooth to crack? How do you identify the symptoms, how to prevent cracks from occurring?

The Nature of Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth are a lot more prevalent than you assume and there so many possible reasons for a broken tooth or filling. Diagnosing the type of crack can tell us how serious is the damage to the tooth, but more importantly, helps doing the correct fix and further prevention.

Different types of cracks on teeth

Craze Lines: These tiny fissures are lines that are visible and run only through the enamel. Craze lines are usually painless and not harmful.

Fractured Cusp: When a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, it typically doesn’t hurt much but may need to be crowned by your dentist.

Cracked Tooth: This is a crack that runs vertically from the chewing surface down towards your dental root and pain can range in intensity depending on where this crack occurs or exactly how deep to which it reaches.

Split Tooth: A split tooth will be cracked into multiple pieces, resulting from a cracked tooth that is left untreated.

Vertical Root Fracture: These cracks start at the root and move toward the tooth’s crown or the other way, often discovered only after the underlying bone or gum becomes infected causing redness and swelling of the gums.

Reasons for of Cracked Teeth

From a childhood accident to chewing hard foods, the reasons behind a cracked tooth are diverse and often surprising.

  • Biting Hard Objects: Biting on ice, nuts, and hard candies can all contribute to broken or cracked teeth. The sudden pressure on enamel can lead to immediate cracks.
  • Grinding and Clenching: Tooth grinding, often unconsciously done during sleep, exerts excessive pressure on teeth and is the most frequent cause of cracks.
  • Trauma or Injury: Accidents like a sports injury or a fall, can lead to tooth cracks or luxation.
  • Age: With advancing age, wear and tear, as well as the natural weakening of teeth, normal biting forces can also increase the likelihood of cracks.
  • Large Fillings: Fillings, especially metallic fillings that take up much of the tooth’s structure can weaken the tooth, making it more susceptible to cracking.
Signs and Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

Identifying a cracked tooth early can often lead to more effective treatment and prevent further damage.

Sharp Pain: Frequent sharp pain while biting or chewing can indicate a cracked tooth.

Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to temperature changes or sweet foods often signals a crack.

Swelling: Gums around the cracked tooth may become swollen or tender.

Intermittent Pain: Pain that comes and goes could be related to a crack, especially when chewing.

How to Prevent Tooth Cracks

While not all tooth cracks are preventable, there are habits and precautions to minimize the risks.

Mindful Chewing: Be cautious when consuming hard foods, and avoid biting down on hard foods like seeds, nuts, ice, etc.

Wear a Mouthguard: For those who grind their teeth at night, a custom-fit mouthguard can protect the teeth from undue stress. This prevents cracks on teeth.

Regular Dental Check-ups: Routine visits to the dentist can catch small cracks and broken fillings before they evolve into large cracks.

Monitor Cavity Fillings: Discuss with your dentist any concerns about large fillings that may cause sensitivity, food catch, and weaken your teeth.

Protective Gear: Engage in contact sports with appropriate mouth guards to protect your teeth from accidents.

Treatment Options for a Cracked Tooth

Once a crack occurs, timely professional intervention is crucial. The treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the crack.

Bonding: Minor cracks often need bonding, where a plastic resin fills the crack to restore function and appearance. This is mainly done for craze lines that are wide and traps food.

Crown: A dental crown can cover and protect the partially cracked tooth, preventing further damage. In order for the crown to be successful, the cracks should be minor and not extend to the roots.

Root Canal Therapy: A root canal and further crown placement may be necessary to remove the damaged tissue if a crack extends into the pulp.

Extraction: Severe cases, like a vertical root fracture, may necessitate removing the tooth if repair is not feasible.

A cracked tooth is an emergency dental problem. Awareness of its symptoms, causes, and treatments can save you from unnecessary discomfort and costly procedures. Regular dental care, combined with preventive measures, can significantly lower your risk of experiencing cracked teeth. If you suspect your tooth might be cracked, consult us promptly so that it is taken care of appropriately.

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