Cracked teeth are common dental problems that can cause discomfort, pain, and even some complications if you do not treat them right away. Several reasons can cause a cracked tooth, such as trauma, excessive pressure, and other dental problems that can later progress into cracked teeth.
In the following article, we will discuss what cracked teeth are by definition, your available treatment options to correct them, and preventive measures to avoid having cracked teeth in the future.
What are Cracked Teeth?
Cracked teeth happen when some damage affects the physical structure of the tooth, creating a fracture that can either be deep or surface-level only. Depending on the depth of the fracture, cracked teeth can have many names.
Types of Cracked Teeth
There are five types of dental fractures; the least deep crack that can affect teeth is called the craze line. These cracks usually only affect the enamel, which is the outermost part of a tooth. In most cases, craze lines do not cause discomfort and typically do not require treatment.
Then we have the fractured cusp, which is a fracture that affects the tooth and penetrates its structure deeper. It does not reach the pulp, however, and your dentist can typically restore this type of crack with a filling or crown.
Then we have the third type of fracture that can affect a tooth and is usually called a cracked tooth. This crack extends from the enamel all the way to the root or pulp of a tooth. It usually requires medical intervention because it affects the nerves of the tooth and can be really painful and lead to tooth loss.
Then we have the split tooth, which a more severe form of fracture that separates the tooth into two distinct components. In this case, your dentist will probably resort to tooth extraction and replace the tooth with dental implants for instance.
The final type of crack. Teeth are the vertical root fracture. This type of cracked teeth is unique because it begins from the pulp and moves vertically up to the enamel.
Causes of Cracked Teeth
Cracks can develop in teeth due to a number of factors. The most common cause is trauma or injury due to accidents such as sports injuries or falls. A strong physical impact can crack a tooth.
Next we have biting hard substances or using your teeth as tools to open or break objects. Be careful what you chew into and limit using your teeth as physical tools.
Another cause of cracked teeth is bruxism; it can be due to psychological factors, a habit, or some people can do it subconsciously in their sleep. Excessive bite forces can crack your teeth over time.
Cracked teeth can also develop over time due to aging. It is more common in individuals over 50 years if age from the usual wear and tear of daily use of our teeth.
How to Know If You Have Cracked Teeth?
There are a number of symptoms that will arise from cracked teeth. If you think you have a cracked tooth, you will experience a number of these signs:
You will find that it is painful to chew or bite down on food. Many patients report that it is painful to release the bite forces. Likewise, you might experience temperature sensitivity, where hot and cold foods and beverages can cause discomfort to your tooth.
In more severe cases, cracked teeth can cause swelling around the tooth that can present itself as an inflammation of the gums.
In general, you will find discomfort without an obvious cause such as a detectable cavity. You will not be able to pinpoint the pain. But you might notice that it can come and go.
How can Dentist Detect a Cracked Tooth?
If you suffer from a cracked tooth, here is what to expect from your dentist to diagnose your case.
As is the case with all dental visits, the diagnosis process will begin with a visual examination. This helps detect any physical symptoms such as inflammation or severe cavities.
Another thing that your dentist might perform to detect any cracked teeth is to use a special biocompatible staining dye. Your doctor will apply the stain to the surface of all your teeth. If there are cracks, the dye will penetrate them. Once all your teeth are stained, your doctor will remove the stain from the surface of your teeth. And the dye will only appear in places where there is a crack.
While cracks may not always appear in X-ray images, it is still a mandatory step to eliminate any underlying problems of infection and bone loss.
How can You Treat a Cracked Tooth?
The treatment plan that your dentist will apply to treat your cracked teeth will depend on the severity of the crack as well as its location.
1- Bonding
Dental bonding is an excellent treatment option for surface-level cracks. Using composite resin, your dentist can repair your crack by filling it with this clay-like material that can be easily color-matched to fit your teeth and give you a natural finish.
2- Dental Crowns
In more serious cases where the tooth crack has seriously damaged the chewing surface of a tooth, a dental crown may be necessary. But this requires that your pulp, root, and nerves are all intact.
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to porcelain and resin. You can find more information on dental crowns here. But they’re generally cap-like structures that can replace the upper part of the tooth that is damaged.
3- Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is necessary when the pulp of the tooth has become severely damaged. Your dentist will then remove the insides of the tooth and the pulp and replace the now-empty canals with gutta-percha, a biocompatible rubber-like material. The purpose of this treatment is to seal the canal and prevent future infections from occurring.
4- Tooth Extraction
When the crack in the tooth is very severe, the only option may be to extract the root. But you can consider dental implants to replace the entire unit of the tooth from crown to root.
Another cost-effective option would be dental bridges, which only replace the crown of the tooth. This may be sufficient for some people looking only to restore basic dental functions.
Is a Cracked Tooth a Serious Injury?
Cracked teeth can have serious consequences because they open space for bacteria to seep into the inner parts of your teeth. They typically cause tooth abscesses, which is a painful infection that occurs where the tooth and gumline meet. It typically starts in the pulp and can fill the area with pus causing swelling, infection, and more.
The bad part about this is that dental abscess can spread and affect surrounding tissue including facial muscles, tendons, and fat cells in the face and neck.
The Takeaway
Without medical intervention, cracked teeth can develop into serious dental concerns. If you suspect you have cracked teeth, contact our medical specialists at the award-winning Dentakay in Istanbul. In a free online consultation, our dental specialists can help provide you with the right treatment plan for you as well as address your concerns.
As a provider of elite-level and sophisticated dental practices, Dentakay has become Turkey’s dental hub of excellence. If you live in a place where dental treatments are beyond your financial ability, you can consider Dentakay the Winner of the Best Dental Clinic in Europe Award in 2022. Aside from providing sophisticated dental care, Dentakay in Turkey is also known for its affordable costs and luxurious treatment experience.
