Do you suffer from persistent toothaches, tenderness and swelling in your gums? You may be dealing with Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS), a painful condition. If not treated on time, the cracks in the tooth can become worse over time, causing non-reversible damage to your teeth.
Cracked Tooth Syndrome is a significant problem impacting millions of individuals worldwide, ranking third in the most common dental issues behind cavities and gum disease. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what cracked teeth are and provide some potential treatment methods to help manage them more effectively.
5 types of cracked teeth
Vertical root fracture
A vertical root fracture (VRF) is a condition in which the root of a tooth is fractured and separated from the crown, often resulting in pain and damage to surrounding tissues. The fracture typically occurs near the base of the root but can occur at any point along it. VRFs are caused by trauma to the affected tooth and can be exacerbated by clenching or grinding habits.
Split tooth
A split tooth is a condition in which the enamel of a tooth becomes cracked or broken, usually due to trauma or decay. The fracture may extend deep into the roots of the tooth and can cause intense pain, sensitivity, and even infection. Splitting typically occurs near the rear molars, which bear a greater heft of pressure while you chew than other teeth.
Craze lines
Over time, Craze lines may form on the enamel and dentin of your teeth and can radiate from the centre to its edge. Though part of the normal wear-and-tear that comes with aging, these lines can become more prominent if left unattended, potentially leading to further issues such as fracturing or loss of a portion of the tooth’s protective layer. To prevent any long-term damage, it is important that you seek treatment at an early stage.
Cracked tooth
A cracked tooth can be an excruciating experience, sometimes even resulting in permanent damage. It is often caused by the excessive force derived from jaw clenching, biting hard objects such as candy or ice, and age-related wear and tear over time. Protecting your teeth should always come first to avoid this type of injury.
Fractured cusp
A fractured cusp is a serious dental issue that can arise from severe tooth decay, teeth clenching or grinding, and other types of trauma. This fracture typically affects the molars at the back of your mouth. To protect yourself against further damage and ease any discomfort it causes, you should seek prompt attention from an experienced dentist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
4 common causes of cracked teeth
If you have a cracked tooth, you’re probably wondering what could have caused it. Dental professionals call this condition ‘split tooth syndrome’, and there are many different factors that may contribute to its origin. The causes of cracked teeth can range from mild to severe, so understanding them is key to preventing further damage.
Trauma from accidents
Oral trauma can cause teeth to split in different ways, including fracturing, chipping and cracking. These types of traumas are mostly caused by direct blows or blunt force to the face, like a hard fall or sports accident. The intensity of impact may lead to fracture lines on your tooth’s enamel and dentin layers- referred to as a crown fracture – which results in severe damage.
If too much force is applied to a particular area, this could lead to the cracking or breaking of the tooth, causing it to split in two. In extreme cases where more pressure is exerted on the affected region, vital posterior tooth avulsion can occur – forcing out all-natural dentition from its socket. Thus time becomes an imperative factor when attempting to preserve as much of your original teeth structure as possible.
Oral trauma that leads to a split tooth can be excruciating and ought to be addressed swiftly by an expert if not treated adequately. If unresolved, the fracture may cause worse problems, such as decay or infection, which will likely lead to misalignment of adjacent teeth and/or TMJ issues in the long run.
Bruxism
Bruxism is an involuntary habit of grinding teeth, ultimately resulting in cracked tooth syndrome. This happens when the continual abrasive action weakens your teeth’ structure and causes small cracks to form – these gradually become bigger and more severe if not treated promptly, eventually reaching down into the root canal, which houses essential nerves and blood vessels.
Bruxism can be a major source of cracked tooth syndrome, as it forces immense stress on your teeth’s fragile locations. Although bruxism is treatable, prevention will always trump any cure – so strive to stay vigilant to evade cracked tooth syndrome before it begins.
Biting pressure
If you bite down on hard foods often, you may be at risk for developing cracked tooth syndrome. This type of fracture usually occurs in the back teeth – the molars and premolars – because they are larger and can handle more biting pressure.
Normally, when we bite down on something hard, the force is distributed evenly among all our teeth; however, sometimes, the force may rest entirely on one tooth. The result is a crack forming in that tooth from too much stress and strain.
Weak teeth
Poor oral health habits, hereditary traits, aging and certain diet choices cause the weakening of tooth enamel which leaves underlying teeth more prone to fractures. Everyday activities such as chewing, brushing or grinding can then create cracks in the weakened enamel that eventually spread through the entire dental structure. This delicate makeup further reduces a tooth’s ability to survive regular wear and tear – thus increasing vulnerability for Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS).
Symptoms of cracked teeth syndrome
The manifestation of cracked teeth syndrome can vary from person to person, depending on where and how deep the crack is.
Excruciating pain and pressure
Cracked teeth syndrome can cause a variety of painful symptoms, primarily when pressure is placed on the damaged area. This may include chewing and biting into food or even brushing your teeth. Some individuals have reported experiencing pain beyond their mouth as well, such as headaches or tenderness in their jaw and cheeks.
Increased levels of sensitivity
For those with cracked teeth, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures is a common symptom. This feeling can be described as an intense zing or zap that lingers for several seconds due to the exposed inner layers of dentin from cracks in the enamel. In more extreme cases, pain may occur when biting down on hard food items such as candies or nuts.
Discolouration of the tooth
The enamel that coats your teeth is the hard outer layer that helps them stay robust and healthy. But when this layer becomes damaged, the dentin underneath may become visible, resulting in uneven tooth staining or yellow spots against other teeth. In more serious cases, an entire tooth can take on a darker hue due to damage to its protective coating.
Swelling of the gums/gumline
When a tooth starts cracking, it can lead to swelling around the gum line as bacteria enter – via food particles and debris – into the gap between the root of your tooth and its gums. This bacterial invasion sparks an immune response that inflames this area more, causing swollen gums. As these cracks become increasingly deeper, they may also work their way down towards your tooth’s root, which could further enhance inflammation in the tissue surrounding your gingiva.
How to diagnose a cracked tooth syndrome?
Diagnosing cracked tooth syndrome can be difficult and requires an experienced dentist or specialist to accurately determine the cause and severity of the issue. Here are some tips on how to diagnose CTS:
- Examine your teeth for any obvious signs of cracking, such as areas that look discoloured or have chips in them.
- Ask your dentist if they can do a bite test during your regular checkup. This can help to identify any strained areas that may be causing discomfort.
- Has an X-ray been taken of the affected area(s)? An X-ray will show any underlying fractures that may not be visible to the naked eye.
- Have a dental specialist complete a pulp vitality test. This test uses special instruments to measure the response of nerve endings around the affected tooth, which can help diagnose CTS accurately.
- Consider getting a CEREC scan from your dentist. This type of scan creates detailed 3D images of your mouth and teeth, which can be used to detect cracks with greater accuracy than traditional X-rays or dental examinations alone.
Treatments for a cracked tooth
Root canal treatment
To reduce the symptoms of cracked teeth syndrome, root canal treatment is a popular and effective solution. During this approach, any bacteria or damaged tissue is eliminated from inside your tooth by removing its infected pulp. Afterwards, we close off the canals with gutta-percha or sealant to stop future contamination. When properly performed, your prognosis for successful recovery should be excellent, provided that no further harm has been done since the original diagnosis.
Composite resin restorations
Composite restorations are a versatile and effective treatment option for cracked teeth syndrome. The restoration process begins with an examination to determine the extent of the damage to the tooth’s surface. If necessary, your dentist may choose to perform root canal therapy before placing a composite resin directly over the broken area in layers until it has reached its desired shape and size.
Dental crowns
Dental crowns are an excellent way to protect a cracked tooth from further damage. Your dentists will take measurements and create a custom-fit porcelain or ceramic dental crown to cover the entire visible portion of the cracked tooth. By doing this, you can prevent any more cracking by having another layer between the tooth and damaging things like grinding your teeth or biting forces.
Tooth extraction
On certain occasions, the severity of dental cracks may be too extreme to fix with traditional treatments such as root canal therapy or composite fillings. Our adept dentist may then suggest tooth extraction as a way to protect you from any potential further damage and health issues. During an extraction procedure, we will gently take out the entire broken tooth carefully from its socket. This helps in averting infection sources for proper healing and regeneration of gum tissue afterwards.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of cracked tooth syndrome, it is essential that you receive immediate dental care to avoid costly and laborious treatments in the future. At Port Macquarie Dental Clinic, our experienced dentists can offer quick relief with advanced techniques for any type of cracking or chipping. Don’t wait – contact us today for an emergency appointment.
References
Healthline: What is a root canal?
https://www.healthline.com/health/root-canal
Mayo Clinic: Bruxism (teeth grinding)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095#:~:text=Bruxism%20(BRUK%2Dsiz%2Dum,a%20sleep%2Drelated%20movement%20disorder.