Cracks in teeth can be extremely difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are highly variable. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Pain upon release from biting
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Spontaneous pain that comes and goes
A tooth flexes when you bite. This flexing causes the crack to open slightly. When you release from a bite the tooth stops flexing and the crack closes. This movement irritates the pulp causing either pain or sensitivity. Small cracks will cause a little irritation; if left untreated the crack will enlarge and the sensitivity will worsen. The tooth may start to hurt constantly and it is possible for large sections of the tooth break-off. If the crack is allowed to grow too large it could result in the tooth needing to be extracted.
It is prudent to see your dentist once you notice a tooth is sensitive to biteCraze Lines
- These are small cracks in the outer enamel (shell) of a tooth
- They are more common in adults
- They are superficial and only require treatment if they are an aesthetic concern
- The integrity of the wall is intact and no work needs to be done unless you do not like the look of them
- Think of them like tears in wallpaper; the wall is stable but you can see a tear
Fractured Cusp
- A more extensive crack that weakens a cusp
- If left untreated the cusp will fracture off
- It is best to treat this early before the fracture becomes so large it compromises the integrity of the tooth
- A crown is the needed for such teeth
- If there is only slight sensitivity to cold the root canal treatment may not be necessary
- If there is pain to bite or pronounced sensitivity then root canal treatment is necessary
Cracked Tooth
- This crack is similar to a fractured cusp but it is not weakening a cusp
- The crack extends from the top of the tooth towards the root
- Root canal treatment is almost always necessary
- Early detection and treatment will increase the chances of success
- If left untreated this tooth will eventually need to be extracted
Split Tooth
- If left untreated, a cracked tooth will develop into a split tooth
- Most often these teeth must be extracted
- Occasionally an endodontist, working closely with your dentist, can save a portion of such teeth
- Unfortunately a split tooth may develop quickly with no warning signs or symptoms
Vertical Root Fracture
The only viable treatment option is endodontic microsurgery.
- Unlike all of the other cracks this one starts in the root, not the crown of a tooth
- If left untreated this will lead to loss of the tooth
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