Can a Cracked Tooth Be Saved?
Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth cannot heal, but early discovery and treatment are the best ways to save your tooth.
A cracked tooth can become a serious dental issue. Bacteria can develop in your tooth pulp and cause an abscess. Left untreated, a tooth abscess may spread and cause further issues in your jawbone and in the muscles and tendons in your face and neck.
Symptoms of a cracked tooth include pain when chewing, swollen gums and lymph nodes, and sensitivity to hot or cold. Seeing your dentist for treatment as soon as possible can reduce your risk of further tooth damage, infection, and possible extraction. Teeth that are cracked and then repaired usually last for several years and do not cause additional problems.
What are the Causes of Cracked Teeth?
A cracked tooth is caused by damage to your tooth that results in a small break, crack, or fracture. The crack may be small enough that your tooth is not affected. More serious instances are cracked teeth that split or break into pieces.
Cracks can develop in any of your teeth, but occur most often in the upper front teeth, lower molars, and teeth with large or multiple fillings. A tooth that becomes cracked may happen because you grind your teeth, injure a tooth, or are aging. Cracked teeth can also be the result of trauma to the mouth because of a fall, collision while playing sports, or a vehicle accident.
Types of Cracked Teeth and Treatment Methods
Adult teeth can crack in several different ways:
- A cracked tooth is a vertical crack that extends from the biting surface to the gum line and possibly to the root.
- Craze lines, common in adults, are very small cracks in your tooth enamel. Usually, no pain is involved and no treatment is required.
- A fractured cusp is a crack around a dental filling that may or may not be painful.
- A split tooth occurs when a crack splits your tooth into two parts. A split tooth may extend below the gum line.
- A vertical root fracture is a crack that starts below your gum line and travels toward the surface of your tooth. You may not experience symptoms unless your tooth pulp becomes infected.
Your dentist can treat a cracked tooth through the following methods, depending on the location and severity of the crack:
- Dental bonding is a tooth-colored resin used to fill cracks.
- Dental contouring includes smoothing rough edges, checking and adjusting areas where your teeth are improperly biting together, and then polishing your teeth.
- Dental veneers are custom-made porcelain or plastic shells that fit over the front of your tooth.
- A crown is a porcelain or ceramic cap that fits over your cracked tooth.
- A root canal may be necessary for a cracked tooth that has developed in your tooth pulp, which can lead to infection.
- Tooth extraction may be necessary if damage from a crack is severe and is affecting the root and nerves.
Consult Your Dentist for Diagnosis and Treatment Options
You can reduce your chances of experiencing a cracked tooth by avoiding biting on hard foods. Teeth wear down as you get older, increasing the risk of a cracked tooth. If you are 50 or older, you are more likely to have a cracked tooth than someone younger. To decrease the chances that your cracked tooth might become a serious issue, consult with your dentist. He or she will examine your tooth for signs of damage and discuss appropriate treatment with you.