Cracked Teeth

We often blame a cracked tooth on eating the wrong foods, such as sticky candy or popcorn. The food may accelerate the crack, but it might not be entirely responsible for the fracture. Sometimes teeth fracture because of their weakened condition. For example, a tooth with a large filling in it, or one that has undergone a root canal is weaker than a tooth that has not been restored. Other causes could be the result of injury, trauma, teeth grinding or a stress fracture. In some cases, the tooth simply can't withstand the strong jaw muscles and will fracture when an individual bites down on food.

Symptoms

Cracked teeth can be difficult to diagnose because they don’t always appear on X-rays and may be difficult to see during an oral examination. However, tooth fractures generally have the following signs and symptoms:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold food or beverages
• Intermittent pain when biting or chewing

Testing & Diagnosing

It can be difficult to pinpoint which tooth is causing the pain. For that reason, we may ask you to bite down on an instrument specifically designed to diagnose fractured teeth. This instrument allows us to direct bite pressure to one specific area of a molar. While biting down and releasing the bite pressure, you may experience some discomfort. This is caused by the fractured tooth’s movement, which irritates the tooth’s nerves. This pain response helps us determine which tooth is fractured. Upon further examination, we will be able to recommend a course of treatment that is best for you.

Because there are different types of fractures, treatment will depend upon the type, the location and the severity. Treatment methods could range from a crown or root canal to possibly an extraction followed by some type of restorative dentistry. Alternative treatment may be recommended for minor fractures diagnosed in the early stages.

Preventing Cracked Teeth

One way to protect your teeth from trauma and cracks is to wear a mouth guard during sports. We can fit you with a custom mouth guard. Also, practicing good oral hygiene and maintaining routine dental visits will help promote healthy, strong teeth.