Cracked Teeth
Clyde, NC
 Cracked teeth can occur due to many reasons, including teeth grinding, chewing hard foods, or aging. It is a common condition that is one of the leading causes of tooth loss around the world.
What Causes Cracked Teeth?
Here are a few problems that may result in cracked teeth:
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Pressure from teeth grinding
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Biting or chewing hard foods
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Injuries and accidents, such as car collisions, slips and falls, and sporting injuries
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Large fillings that weaken the foundation of the tooth
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Age
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Abrupt temperature changes in the mouth |
Types of Cracked Teeth
Here are a few types of cracked teeth:
Craze Lines
These are tiny, painless cracks that occur in the enamel of the teeth and don’t require any treatment.
Fractured Cusp
These cracks typically occur around a dental filling and don’t impact the pulp of the tooth, which is why they are mostly painless.
Cracks Extending to the Gumline
A vertical crack in the tooth that goes through but hasn’t yet touched the gumline. Therefore, it can easily be salvaged. However, cracks extending into the gumline typically require tooth extractions.
Split Tooth
A tooth featuring a cracking that extends from the surface to below the gumline is known as a split tooth. Since the crack is pretty extensive, it is highly unlikely that the tooth can be saved.
Vertical Root Fracture
This crack starts below the gumline and extends upwards. There aren’t any symptoms unless the tooth gets infected. In that case, the tooth will have to be extracted.
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
Not all tooth cracks are visible, so it’s important to look for certain symptoms. It is also important to note that not all cracked teeth have symptoms. However, here are a few signs to look for:
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Pain when chewing or biting
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Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweetness
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Pain that comes and goes
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Swelling of the gums |
Treatment for Cracked Teeth
The treatment for cracked teeth typically depends on the location and size of the crack, symptoms you’re experiencing, and whether or not the crack extends up to the gumline. Your dentist will suggest one of the following solutions, depending on the above factors:
Bonding
This procedure includes the use of plastic resin to fill up the crack in a tooth to restore its appearance and function.
Dental Crown
Typically made of ceramic or porcelain, a crown is a prosthetic tooth that fits over your damaged natural tooth, capping it to hide a crack.
Your dentist has to shave off some enamel from your tooth to make way for the crown. Your dentist will then take an impression of your tooth, color-match it to your teeth, and send the impression to the lab to construct the crown. This process can take a few weeks.
Root Canal
When a crack extends into the pulp of your teeth, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist for a root canal. An endodontist is a specialist that will remove the damaged pulp and restore the integrity of your tooth to prevent any infection or further weakening.
Extraction
If the structure of a tooth is extremely damaged, your dentist will conduct a tooth extraction.
If you’re looking for a viable treatment for your cracked teeth, allow us to offer you some solutions. Book your appointment at Carolina Mountain Endodontics by calling us at (828) 627-1999.
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