Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Causes, Early Detection and Treatment

Cracked tooth syndrome is where a tooth has a crack that is either visible or invisible. A tooth may be cracked if it becomes sensitive to cold and hot temperatures or if you experience pain when biting or chewing. If a cracked tooth is left untreated, it can cause pain, discomfort, and severe dental problems over time.

Cracked tooth syndrome includes three phases: craze lines, cracks, and fractures. Craze lines are tiny and harmless cracks that occur in the outer enamel of the tooth. Cracks occur when craze lines penetrate the body of the tooth (dentin). A fracture occurs when cracks expand deep into the root of the tooth.

What Causes Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Some of the common causes of cracked tooth syndrome include:

• Teeth with large fillings
• Application of too much pressure on one tooth
• Biting down too hard
• Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment
• Clenching or grinding of the teeth
• Physical injury to the mouth
• Sudden temperature change

How to Diagnose a Cracked Tooth

Repairing a cracked tooth is easy if it is detected early. However, diagnosis can be difficult because people do not develop any symptoms during the initial stage. Regular visits to your dentist for routine checkups will help you detect a cracked tooth earlier.

The dentist uses various methods to diagnose a cracked tooth, including:

• They will use a sharp instrument called dental explorer to catch any cracked or rough edges on the surface of the tooth.
• They use a magnifying glass to identify small cracks.
• They use dental dyes to make the cracks more visible.
• Your dentist will check your gums for any signs of inflammation because cracks in the tooth can cause irritations to the gums.
• They will try to identify your source and severity of pain resulting from biting down on something.
• They will take X-rays to determine the condition of your teeth pulp. Unhealthy teeth pulp leads to teeth cracks.
• They also review the dental history of the patient to diagnose a cracked tooth.

Also Read: Sedation Dentistry: A Comprehensive Guide

What Are the Treatment Options for Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Your dentist can repair a cracked tooth through various treatment options, including placing a crown, bonding or performing a root canal. Also, they may suggest you to wear an occlusal guard to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching. The type of treatment varies from person to person depending on the location and the severity of the tooth crack.

Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you suspect that you have a cracked tooth.