What can cause a tooth to crack?
Although your teeth are durable and can withstand a great deal of pressure, there are a number of ways that they can crack, such as from a blow to the face in a car collision or while playing sports, or biting down awkwardly on a piece of hard food.
Teeth can also crack as a result of sudden changes in the temperature in your mouth, which can happen if you eat something that’s very hot and then try to cool down your mouth with ice water.
Cracks can also form in situations that are less sudden, such as long-term tooth grinding or jaw clenching.
Your teeth are more susceptible to cracking if you’re over the age of 50, or if you have fillings that are large enough to affect the structural integrity of your tooth.
What are the different types of tooth cracks?
Not all cracked teeth are the same. Among the different types are:
Craze lines
Craze lines are tiny cracks in the enamel of your teeth that typically don’t cause pain or require treatment.
Fractured cusp
Fractured cusps occur around a filling or restoration. They usually don’t affect the pulp of your tooth, nor do they typically cause pain.
Cracks that go into the gumline
While your dentist can typically salvage a tooth with a crack that stops before the gumline, cracks that extend into the gumline typically require extraction.
Split tooth
A split tooth has a crack that extends all the way from the surface of the tooth to below the gumline, effectively separating the tooth into two segments.
Vertical root fracture
This type of crack originates from beneath the gumline and goes upward. It’s similar to a split tooth, but it doesn’t fully divide the tooth into two distinct segments.
What are the signs that my tooth is cracked?
Of course, the most obvious symptom of a cracked tooth is a visible fracture in the surface of your tooth, but not all cracked teeth produce visual symptoms. Some of the other ways to tell if your tooth is cracked include:
- Swollen gums around your tooth
- Intermittent pain that comes and goes
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet sensations
- Pain when you chew or bite, and especially when releasing your bite
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with 3D MicroEndo.
What are the treatment options for cracked teeth?
Some of the common methods for treating a cracked tooth include:
- Bonding
- Dental crown
- Root canal
- Extraction
The professionals at 3D MicroEndo are highly skilled in treating cracked teeth, and they can help to fix your tooth and restore your oral health. Schedule a visit today by calling the office or using the online booking tool to make an appointment.
