ENDODONTICS

Whether your teeth crack because of injury or general wear and tear, you will experience a variety of symptoms, from erratic pain when chewing food, to sudden pain when your teeth are exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. Most times, the pain may come and go,  making it harder for your dentist to diagnose and locate the problematic tooth causing the discomfort. Chewing causes movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, with the pulp inside the tooth becoming irritated. At the same time, when the biting pressure is released, the crack may close quickly resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will get damaged and the tooth will be in constant pain, even when the jaw is relaxed. It is possible that cracks can lead to infections of the soft tissue within the tooth, which has the potential to affect the bone and gum surrounding the problem area. 

TYPES OF CRACKS

Endodontists has identified five types of tooth cracks. These types are: craze lines, fractured cusps, cracks tooth that run through the crown of the tooth and reach to the gum line, split teeth, and vertical root fractures. These five types represent the most common types of cracked teeth that dentists encounter.

1. Craze Lines: These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of a          tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.  

 2. Fractured Cusp: When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so a root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown. 

3.  Cracked Tooth: This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of a tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is common. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.

4. Split Tooth: A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved.  

5.  Vertical Root Fracture: A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of a tooth. Unfortunately, it shows minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by the removal of the fractured root. Otherwise, the tooth will have to be extracted.