Your frequently asked questions about cracked teeth … answered!
Many of the conditions that we treat are associated with toothaches. At Soft Touch Endodontics, we resolve pain for our patients from throughout the Suwanee, Georgia, area promptly. We also provide pain relief at the source. Our endodontist, Dr. Darlene Davis, has advanced specialty training and special technologies to treat pain and other alarming symptoms comfortably and precisely.
Cracked teeth are vulnerable to conditions such as severe decay and infection. Depending on the nature of the crack, you may not feel anything at all. Or certain types of fractures are associated with sporadic or persistent tooth sensitivity and pain. Relief starts with understanding the types of cracks that can damage your teeth. Below, our team has answered some of your most Frequently Asked Questions about this common form of dental injury.
What causes teeth to crack?
Your teeth are the sum of many parts. Additionally, they are layered. The outermost layer, your enamel, protects the softer bits underneath. While enamel is stronger than skeletal bone, it is not impenetrable. It can be damaged due to progressive diseases and certain behaviors or habits. These causes range from chronic teeth grinding, falls, or other accidents to sports-related injuries, dental erosion, and decay.
What are the different types of cracks?
This type of injury spans minor damage to more significant threats to the tooth’s structural integrity. On one end of the spectrum, we have craze lines that are isolated to the outermost tooth structure (enamel). They can be a cosmetic concern but generally do not threaten the health of your teeth. Fractured cusps are largely isolated to the visible part of the tooth (the crown) and the high points (tips or cusps) on the chewing surface. Some crowns may be cracked right down the middle. More severe cracking extends below the crown and into the tooth root. Vertical root fractures start in the root of the tooth and, unlike the other forms of breakage listed here, extend upward toward the crown.
How are cracks treated?
Dr. Davis will not know how to effectively treat and restore your tooth back to health until after she determines the nature and extent of the cracking. Some cracks (like craze lines) do not require restorative treatment. Other fractures and cracks may require the application of a dental crown. Or, more severe cracks may need to be treated with endodontic procedures such as non-surgical root canal therapy and surgical apicoectomy (“root-end resection”). Overall, more extensive treatment is required when the cracks are deep and affect the pulp tissue inside of the tooth.
Don’t wait to call Soft Touch Endodontics. Damage to the crown and roots does not go away or heal on its own. These injuries can only become worse without treatment. By contacting our team in Suwanee, GA, at 770-831-7644, our specialist can save your tooth and prevent the need for extraction.