Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is something to worry about. A cracked tooth is a tooth that has a fracture, split,craze line or crack running somewhere through it.

longitudinal cracks 

Types of cracks 

There are different types of cracks

• A tooth fracture can exist inside the tooth or in the outer tooth covering. 
• The crack can run in any direction, can penetrate through the whole tooth, or just a portion of the tooth.
• Not all cracks in the teeth happen so abruptly or obviously.
• You might have a hairline crack that may not give you any pain at all. By the time it will grow,and you do start to notice the pain.
• A tooth can only really be called ‘cracked’ if there is a crack from the top down towards the root. This type of crack means that not only the outer surface of the tooth is damaged. It also means that the inner core of the tooth is exposed so it is open to infection, likely to trap food debris and likely to attract bacteria.
  
•  A cracked cusp will cause some pain when you are eating, but the inner part of the tooth – the pulp and nerves – remain undamaged. 
• If the crack in the tooth extends below the gumline. This means that the root is damaged and, in many cases, the tooth will need to be extracted.

The crack doesn't always show up on xrays nor dental examination, as it depends on its type and site.

Cracked tooth symptoms

• The tooth will be sensitive to heat, cold,and sugary food that cause toothache.
• Sharp pain when biting down on something hard.
• An odd cracked tooth symptom is that you may not be able to tell which tooth is troubling you.
• If the crack goes under the gum line, there is the risk that germs will get into the gum, causing toothache and pockets of infection  which may have symptoms of pain or odor.( to read more about bad smell for breath click hear )
• Tooth infection, and abscess .

Causes of cracked teeth

• Hard foods, hard ice, when bitten down on can cause cracks in the teeth.
• A filling causing a weakness in the tooth, which then develops a crack - like when the tooth has a large filling in it.
• External trauma to the mouth. Like a fist, ball  or hard object.
• Teeth grinding ( Bruxism ) can cause many teeth to crack and break and abnormally wear down.

Treatment 

• It depends on the direction and severity of the crack. If the crack is small enough, it may be fill with a bonded filling.
• If the crack was big, and the nerve was affected root canal treatment will be required for the tooth is to be saved.
• If the tooth got infected root canal treatment will be required for the tooth is to be saved.
• If the crack goes too far vertically, there is a possibility the tooth may need to be removed and replaced with an artificial one.

I hope it was clear and useful.

Thanks

MR