Your teeth should last forever, but they take a lot of pressure over their lifetime that can cause damage. Like any other bone, your teeth can break under pressure, but this isn't always a cause for concern. The perimeter or surface of your tooth is made of enamel, one of the hardest materials in your body.
This outer layer is made to resist chewing, grinding, and other intense jaw movements. If you experience jaw discomfort when grinding and chewing food, you may have a tooth fracture. Failure to treat it can result in more serious problems of tooth decay, cracked tooth and jaw pain, leading to tooth extraction.
Therefore, it is essential to consult adentistas soon as possible if you suspect your tooth may be fractured. This helps to prevent further unwanted problems by repairing the fractured tooth.
Here's everything you need to know about cracked tooth treatment, including cracked tooth symptoms to look out for.
What are the types of cracked teeth?
Before learning how to fix a cracked tooth, you first need to know that it comes in many different forms. That way you will be able to find an easy solution. Cracks in teeth can appear as:
Craze Lines Teeth
Crack lines on teeth, also known as vertical tooth cracks, appear as tiny cracks and are often known as microfractures. You may never experience any noticeable cracked tooth symptoms when you have this type of crack, but you can often feel them with your tongue.
So does a cracked tooth cause pain?
Teeth with crack lines are common in adults. Although your dentist can examine the cracks, they are not painful and do not require treatment.
The vertical crack in the tooth makes the teeth stain more easily. This is why they are often more visible in people who drink red wine, coffee and tea or use tobacco products.
fractured cusp
A fractured cusp is one of the common symptoms of fractured teeth. It appears when the crown of the tooth extends below the gum and around the restoration. A fractured cusp can be complete or incomplete.
Your tooth gook, which contains nerve fibers, blood vessels and connective tissues, remains unaffected. However, with this type of tooth crack, your dentist will analyze whether you need any restorative treatment or not.
Cracks in the teeth that extend below the gum line.
Dental cracks that extend below the gum line can show symptoms of tooth fracture. Any vertical crack in the tooth that extends but does not reach the gum line can be saved. But if the crack extends below the gum line, there is no viable cracked tooth treatment option other than having the tooth removed.
broken tooth
Usually, broken teeth cause symptoms of fractured teeth. They are the most severe split level of the crack as they travel from the surface below the gum line.
A split tooth usually has two separate segments. Sometimes it's impossible to save the entire tooth with a large crack, but your dentist may try to save a portion of it.
In most cases, the dentist will recommend removing the entire tooth and then discuss treatment for the cracked tooth or replacement options, such as a dental implant or dental bridge.
vertical tooth fracture
A vertical fracture of the tooth extends below the gum line and travels upwards to the tooth, although there is a fracture that extends below the gum line.
Therefore, you may not experience any symptoms of a fractured tooth. However, infections can cause discomfort, such as frequent toothaches.
Your dentist may recommend taking antibiotics to fight any infection in the vertical crevice of the tooth.
chipped tooth
A chipped tooth is a type of crack. A cracked front tooth usually occurs when grinding or biting hard food or tearing something hard with your teeth, such as electrical cables or metal plates.
The signs of a cracked front tooth are small, rough pieces of enamel in your mouth. Sometimes a cracked front tooth occurs naturally and other times when you are holding or opening objects.
That said, how do dentists fix a cracked front tooth?
This mainly depends on how big the chipped area is. If the crack on the front tooth is small, porcelain material is enough to seal the chipped area. If it is huge and the bonding cannot be applied, your dentist may recommendveneer.
What Causes a Fractured Tooth Root?
Unless you know the causes of your fractured or cracked tooth, finding an effective cracked tooth treatment option can be quite challenging. Repetitive stress on your tooth can damage the tooth's structure, resulting in a small fracture. If left untreated, it slowly develops into a more prominent tooth fracture over time.
Most people over 50 years of age are affected by frequent cracking of teeth. However, adults can experience them at any age, depending on their lifestyle and habits. Some of the main causes of a fractured tooth include:
- Excessive clenching and grinding of teeth
- Chewing hard substances like candy
- Injury or trauma caused by falls or car accidents
- extreme heat stress
- Natural weakening of tooth structure and aging
- Large fillings weaken tooth structure over time
Also, drinking water with excess fluoride frequently can discolor the tooth and cause wear and tear, leading to tooth fracture.
What are some of the cracked tooth symptoms?
Generally, a cracked or fractured tooth does not necessarily cause any symptoms of a broken tooth. Most people tend to have broken teeth without even realizing it. But if you notice the following broken tooth symptoms, you may have an extensive type of fracture that needs dental work.
- Severe pain when and after biting the back teeth
- Gum swelling around the fractured tooth
- Frequent pain in the affected tooth
- Sensitivity in teeth to sweet, hot and sweet substance, especially drinks
Note that the pain from a broken tooth depends on the severity of the damage to the tooth.
What can you do if you have a cracked tooth?
What to do if you have a cracked tooth depends on the type of crack you have. For small mania lines, treatment is not mandatory. However, if you have fractured cusps, vertical cracks in your teeth, split tooth cracks, or cracks below your gums, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to find the best way to treat your cracked tooth.
Here are some of the most commonly used methods of treating a cracked tooth.
dental crowns
Dental crowns or false teeth are caps that fit decayed or weak teeth. Artificial teeth are made of ceramic, metal or composite resin.
If you have a severe crack in your tooth, it is not necessary to extract it. Dental crowns are the best treatment option for cracked teeth. False teeth bond the cracked part of the tooth and fully restore the natural appearance and function of the tooth.
Also, bonding is the most famous treatment among most adults. It's a painless way to treat cracked teeth, and your dentist can completely do this with one visit to the dental clinic.
root canal treatment
In some cases, a crack in the tooth can reach the dental pulp and, when that happens, treatment is needed. Endodontic treatment is a term often used by dentists to refer to root canal treatment.
canal radicularTreatment involves treating infected and inflamed roots. If the root cannot be saved due to a large infected area, your dentist will recommend extracting it.
tooth extraction
The dentist will usually recommend extraction of any tooth that has suffered extreme trauma, injury, or decay. For example, your dentist may suggest removing the entire tooth and root if you develop a crack in your tooth below the gum line.
Also, if the tooth cannot be saved due to a vertical crack in the tooth that extends below the gumline, your dentist will remove it.
How to Tell If You Have a Cracked Tooth
X-ray machines cannot reveal a cracked tooth and are unnecessary because people have different symptoms. So, to diagnose whether you have a cracked tooth, your dentist will do the following:
- Ask questions about your dental history, such as whether you chew a lot or grind your teeth at night.
- Create a visual exam using a magnifying glass to see small cracks.
- Apply the toothpaste to the teeth to ensure the cracks are exposed to the open air.
- Probe your gum while looking for inflammation or vertical cracks.
- Take an X-ray of your teeth to detect any decayed pulp.
- Ask you to bite something to see if you feel any pain when biting and afterwards.
Once the tooth crack diagnoses are completed, your dentist will advise what to do next depending on the results.
What are some of the complications of a cracked tooth?
Like any other health condition, the tooth also develops complications, especially if the infection starts to spread to the gum and bone. Some of the symptoms that you may have a tooth infection include:
- Fever
- Pain when biting or chewing something
- Horrible breath in the mouth
- inflamed gums
- Tonsils or sensitive glands in the neck
- Sensitivity to cold and hot substances
If you have a tooth infection, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacteria.
What are the treatment options to look forward to?
The American Association of Endodontists recommends that if you notice any signs of a cracked tooth and pain. You should immediately seek dental care from a professional.
The treatment option includes:
- Fixing a cracked tooth can be done by filing a false tooth, depending on the area damaged.
- An endodontic treatment procedure can treat the tooth.
- Tooth extraction if cracks extend upward from the gum line.
If you are in a lot of pain before your appointment, you can ease the pain by biting down on a clean, damp piece of cloth. Do not apply aspirin or topical oral medication ointments over the affected area to get relief.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
Unlike a bone fracture, a fractured tooth cannot heal independently, as tooth enamel lacks blood vessels. Therefore, you should immediately visit a dentist if you notice a crack. An untreated tooth can lead to tooth decay, sensitivity and ultimate loss.
Why do your teeth have hairline cracks?
Adding stress to teeth often causes hairline cracks. If you consistently add more pressure on your teeth over time, small cracks will start to develop, also known as pit lines on your teeth.
While the fine cracks may not be visible, you can notice them by the way they feel on your tongue. Also, most people who have cracked teeth usually experience sharp pain when biting into hard substances like ice and popcorn.
Can fine cracks on a tooth heal?
Yes, the dent can repair itself over time if the damage is minimal. For example, if you have a hairline crack on the outer level of your enamel that doesn't cause pain, there's a chance it will heal itself.
The process of hair split healing is known as remineralization, which refers to the minerals in the mouth.
Remember that hairline cracks on your teeth are craze lines. They do not develop into deep cracks, and in most cases dentists take them for granted. But if you don't maintain good dental hygiene, they can develop into cavities.
How can you remineralize your teeth?
Here are some ways to remineralize your teeth:
- Increase the amount of saliva production
- Drink a lot of water
- Use your own toothpaste for this job
- Go on a remineralization diet
- Stop drinking acidic drinks like alcohol
It would be best if you continued to do this regularly, whether you have a cracked tooth or not.
Self-Care and Prevention
If you've been wondering how to fix cracked tooth syndrome, you'll be happy to know that there are prevention methods to start with. People with solid teeth are less likely to have their teeth broken. To keep your teeth strong and healthy, you must maintain good dental hygiene.
Avoid chewing hard foods and grinding your teeth. Be sure to wear a mouthguard whenever you are playing sports and at night to avoid grinding your teeth.
If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, be sure to brush and rinse your mouth with warm water. Then use cold water to compress the outside of the cheek to prevent swelling.
Use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen to help reduce swelling and pain. Be sure to make an appointment with your dentist immediately, as delaying it puts your tooth at risk for decay and extraction.
How much does it cost to treat a cracked tooth?
The cost of treating a cracked tooth depends on the size of the crack and where you live in the country. Dental fees tend to vary from one metropolitan area to another.
Here's a rundown of what to expect to pay in general:
- $150-$1800 for gluing depending on complexity
- $1200-$2000 per false tooth depending on the material used to make it
- $1,000 to $3,000 for a root canal, depending on the location of the tooth
- $100-$300 for tooth extraction
Seek medical assistance from professionals
Early and frequent dental checkups are necessary to save a compromised tooth. However, in most cases, cracks are not visible clinically and most of them are diagnosed through symptoms. During your regular checkups, let your dentist know if you experience any symptoms such as sharp pain or tenderness when eating or chewing something.
Are you suspecting that you may have cracked teeth or are you experiencing symptoms of cracked teeth? VisitVictory Plaza Dental Care in North Hollywoodtoday and get the best cracked teeth treatment from a professional.