Cracked Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Often times, we take our teeth for granted and forget that they aren’t indestructible.

There is more than just one reason why your teeth become damaged or cracked. If your tooth is cracked, it won’t split into parts. Instead, it can crack in several different ways. For example, it may have a split, fracture or craze.

Causes of Cracked Teeth

So with that said, how do the teeth crack? Let’s take a look at the causes down below.

• Bruxism: Severe tooth grinding places an immense amount of pressure on the teeth.
• A large filling: This can cause the tooth to weaken.
• Chewing or biting on hard foods and objects: Biting down on ice, hard candy or hard objects such as pens and pencils can cause the teeth to crack.
• Injury: Tooth injury such as a blow to the chin or lower jaw, is a common cause of cracked teeth. Injury can occur during contact-sports, recreational activities or an auto accident.
• Gum disease: Advanced gum disease that causes bone loss, can fracture the roots of the teeth.
• Sudden temperature change: Temperature changes in the mouth that are abrupt can cause the teeth to crack.

Symptoms of Cracked Teeth

Identifying a cracked tooth can be difficult. Symptoms may vary depending on how severe the crack is. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment at your dental clinic in Orlando:

• Tooth sensitivity: You may experience sensitivity when consuming cold foods and beverages, as well as sweets.
• Chewing difficulties: You may feel pain when you are chewing, this can be an uncomfortable experience.
• Pain: You may experience pain that is sporadic and rarely continuous.
• Swelling: You may experience swelling of your gums around the affected tooth.

Will I Need to Have Treatment?

The answer is yes. Once your dentist has detected a crack in your tooth, they will establish a treatment plan. The condition of your tooth can worsen if treatment is delayed. Possible outcomes include the death of the nerve and a tooth abscess.

As a result, you may require more intensive treatment such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction. In some severe incidents, the tooth can split into two which will require dental extraction.

How are Cracked Teeth Fixed?

Your treatment options will depend on the severity, type, and location of the crack. The following are possible treatment options offered at your dental clinic in Orlando:

• Bonding: Plastic resin is used to fill the crack. Bonding restores the shape and function of the affected tooth.
• Crown: A porcelain or ceramic crown can be placed over the cracked tooth. This hollow cap, can cover the crack and protect it from further damage.
• Root canal therapy: If the crack is extensive and extends into the pulp, root canal therapy can prevent infection or further damage.
• Cosmetic contouring: If the crack is very minor, your dentist can use dental contouring to eliminate small imperfections.
• Veneers: This is an ideal option if most of your tooth structure is remaining. A veneer is made from an ultra-thin layer of porcelain. Veneers can restore cracked teeth and rebuild their shape and appearance.

Dr. Batta, Dr. Borrero, and Dr. Altman are dentists in Kissimmee. Dr. Borrero and Dr. Batta practice general dentistry and offer services such as dental exams, fillings, bonding, veneers, crowns, bridges, extractions and root canal therapy to patients of all ages.

Dr. Altman is a periodontist and implantologist, he has over 20 years of experience. Dr. Altman is highly-skilled and has received extensive training in the following procedures, gum surgery, bone grafts, and dental implants.