A cracked tooth can produce a variety of symptoms, including biting pressure, temperature sensitivity, and/or chewing pain. It is common for these symptoms to come and go and happen either on their own or in conjunction with one another, making it difficult to fully grasp and explain the range of symptoms you may be experiencing to your dentist. Chewing with a cracked tooth often causes feelings of discomfort as the pieces of your cracked tooth move independently, causing the pulp within the tooth to become irritated. As you release your bite, you may also feel a sharp pain, as the crack of the tooth closes suddenly. Soon, the pulp will become damaged enough that the tooth will constantly hurt, even at rest. If not treated, it is possible for a cracked tooth’s pulp to become infected, causing further problems such as the recession of the tooth’s bone and gum support.
Vertical Root Fracture: A vertical root fracture starts at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go undetected. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise the tooth will have to be extracted.
Split Tooth: A split tooth is often the result of an undiagnosed cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinctive segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact, yet the situation and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. In some cases, endodontic retreatment and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.
Craze Lines: These are small cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults than children. These types of cracks are superficial and are typically of no concern.
Cracked Tooth: This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. Sometimes, the crack may extend below the gum line. It’s possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is very common in this situation. In this case, root canal treatment is often required. A cracked tooth that goes untreated will deteriorate, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is crucial.
Fractured Cusp: When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may occur. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp seldom damages the pulp, so a root canal is not often necessary. Your dentist will typically restore the tooth with a full crown.