Cracked Tooth

Does this sound familiar? When you bite down, you feel a sharp pain. It may disappear quickly, and perhaps you even learn to ignore it, or avoid chewing certain foods on that particular side of your mouth. But the feeling persists, and can include any of the following:

• Pain while chewing.
• Pain associated with cold air application.
• Unsolicited pain (usually from the leakage of sugar into a tooth crack).

Additionally, when seeking treatment for such pain, you may find:

• No radiographic evidence of the problem.
• Tooth pain without dental decay present.
• Verification of a crack when a tooth is prepared for restoration.

While cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take certain precautions to ensure your teeth will be less susceptible to cracks:

• Never chew on hard objects, such as ice, popcorn kernels, or pens.
• Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.
• If you do clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, talk to your dentist about being fitted for a custom retainer or other mouth guard to protect your teeth.
• Wear a mouth guard or a mask when playing contact sports.

If you experience symptoms of a cracked tooth, see your dentist immediately. If detected early, a cracked tooth can often be saved.

Why does my cracked tooth hurt?

A crack in a tooth usually affects the soft inner tissue of the tooth called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves. When it is damaged, it causes pain. That is why a cracked tooth hurts; the pulp is damaged. To relieve the pain and save your tooth, the pulp needs to be gently treated.

How will my cracked tooth be treated?

The treatment of your cracked tooth depends on both the type and severity of the crack. There are four common types of cracks:

• Craze Lines are tiny cracks that affect the outer tooth enamel, and do not require treatment.
• The Cusp is the pointed part of the chewing surface of your tooth. Part of the cusp may break off or may need to be removed by your dentist. Usually a crown is required.
• A Cracked Tooth is a crack that extends from the chewing surface of the tooth vertically towards the root. The pulp is usually damaged. If this happens, root canal treatment is usually needed. It is particularly important to diagnose this type of crack early. In its earlier stages, a cracked tooth can still be saved.
• A Split Tooth is often the result of an untreated cracked tooth that splits into two distinct segments. With root canal treatment, however, a portion of the tooth can sometimes be saved.

After treatment for a cracked tooth, will my tooth completely heal?

Unlike bone, a fracture in a cracked tooth will never completely heal. Even after treatment, it’s possible that a crack may continue to worsen and separate, resulting in the total loss of the tooth.

Despite the possibility for the tooth to worsen, the treatment you receive is important. It will relieve your pain and reduce the chances that the crack will worsen. Most cracked teeth continue to function for years after treatment. Your dentist or endodontist will be able to tell you more about your particular diagnosis and treatment recommendations.