Are you feeling the painful impact of a cracked tooth? If so, you may be suffering from cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), which can cause considerable discomfort and distress. Acting fast is key to preventing further damage – don’t wait to reach out for professional assistance. Taking care of your teeth should be a priority; seek prompt medical attention now before this condition worsens.
Affecting millions of people every day, cracked tooth syndrome is the third most widespread dental issue in the entire world – only surpassed by cavities and gum disease. This blog post will help you gain a deeper understanding of cracked teeth as well as how to handle them effectively.
What is a cracked tooth?
A range of external forces, such as teeth grinding during sleep or biting on hard items, can gradually erode away the enamel, a vital protection for our inner dental structures. This can lead to what is known as cracked tooth syndrome -an extremely uncomfortable condition with varying degrees of intensity that requires immediate treatment in order to avoid further pain and damage.
Types of cracked teeth
Cracked tooth syndrome can take various forms, such as:
Vertical root fracture
A vertical root fracture is the most common type of cracked tooth, wherein a large portion or all of the root has been fractured. This tear usually appears from your gum line down to other parts of the tooth and, in some cases, might even stretch horizontally.
Split tooth
Splitting of a tooth is another usual type of cracked tooth, generally seen in the back molars because of their susceptibility to physical force from chewing. These teeth usually divide into two sections due to this incessant strain.
Craze lines
Craze lines are the visible signs of wear and tear that run across your tooth’s enamel and dentin. Though commonly seen as a part of ageing, without proper attention, these lines can deepen, leading to potentially more serious damage, such as chipping or even loss of portions of your tooth’s enamel. Don’t take a chance on this; get help right away if you notice any craze lines forming.
Cracked tooth
Cracked teeth are the result of excessive force from everyday activities such as jaw clenching, hard candy consumption and age-related wear. This form of injury is an incomplete fracture that extends towards the root causing mild to severe discomfort – or even permanent damage in some cases. Therefore it is essential to take care when engaging in these actions and protect your teeth with regular checkups at a dentist so you can avoid unnecessary pain.
Fractured cusp
If a cusp of your tooth breaks due to extreme decay, grinding or clenching, or any kind of trauma – you have a fractured cusp. This generally happens on the top and bottom back teeth (molars). Consult with an experienced dentist immediately if you experience this issue so that further harm is prevented, function restored, and discomfort alleviated.
Causes of cracked teeth
This problem, also referred to as ‘split tooth syndrome, can result from various causes – some minor and preventable, while others might be more severe. Learning what has caused your split tooth and how to avoid it is essential for safeguarding your teeth against further harm.
Trauma to the teeth
Oral traumas can cause severe dental issues, such as fractured or chipped teeth. These types of injuries are often caused by forceful impacts to the face, like trips and falls or contact sports-related incidents.
An intentional or accidental force to the tooth could cause it to crack, split into two pieces, or even completely detach from its socket – an occurrence known as vital posterior tooth avulsion.
If you have experienced such a traumatic injury, seek professional treatment without delay!
With swift attention and adequate care, there is still hope of conserving your natural dentition in all its beauty.
Don’t hesitate to visit a dentist right away.
Experiencing severe oral pain due to fractured teeth that stem from trauma? You should seek prompt and professional help as soon as possible. If ignored, you may face complications in the long run; cavity formation, infection or even misaligned bites plus a potential TMJ issue are all realistic possibilities! Don’t wait – take action now and secure treatment right away for your best outcome.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a disorder that causes teeth grinding without the patient’s knowledge, which can lead to cracked tooth syndrome. These fissures may start small, but if neglected, they will become more severe and reach down into your roots containing vital blood vessels and nerves in your teeth. Taking proper action early on is essential for avoiding deeper damage caused by this affliction.
Bruxism is, unfortunately, a common source of cracked tooth syndrome, which can subject your teeth to significant force and cause them to break or fracture. Luckily, it’s possible to treat bruxism; however, why don’t you take the extra step and stop it before it happens? Be mindful when looking after your oral health, as prevention is always better than cure.
Biting down hard
Have you ever experienced a sudden and unbearable pain in your teeth after biting down on something hard? If so, it is likely that you are going through cracked tooth syndrome. This condition tends to affect the posterior parts of your mouth – such as molars and premolars- since these sections experience stronger levels of force due to their large size.
Usually, our teeth are able to bear the weight of biting into something tough evenly. However, it can sometimes happen that all this pressure gets placed on one single tooth. If left untreated for a significant period of time, this can cause immense stress and strain resulting in a crack appearing within the affected area. Furthermore, if nothing is done about it quickly enough, then there’s potential for even further destruction as the fracture extends deeper into the pulp chamber.
Weak teeth
Poor oral hygiene, genetic predisposition to weakened enamel, or advanced age can all be the cause of cracked tooth syndrome (CTS). In addition, those with unhealthy dietary habits may experience further weakening and cracking due to everyday activities like eating, brushing and grinding. If these tiny fractures remain untreated, they might spread throughout your entire tooth, leaving it vulnerable to harm.
From minor damage to extensive destruction, any weak tooth structure heightens the likelihood of developing CTS.
Symptoms of cracked teeth syndrome
Depending on the severity and location of the cracks, cracked teeth syndrome can manifest in dramatically different ways from one individual to another.
Sharp pain
Cracked teeth syndrome is often characterised by a piercing pain that radiates when pressure is applied to the affected area, like while chewing, biting or brushing your teeth. In some cases, this discomfort may even spread beyond your mouth and can be accompanied by throbbing headaches or tenderness in the jawline and cheeks.
Sensitivity
Have you ever experienced a sudden jolt or zap when biting into hot or cold food? That may be a sign of cracked teeth syndrome, which occurs whenever the enamel has worn away to expose its vulnerable inner layers. Even hard snacks like candy and nuts can trigger this intense sensitivity that lasts for several seconds
Tooth discolouration
The enamel on your tooth works like a shield, safeguarding it from harm. But if this defence is compromised, the dentin layer underneath may be exposed and cause discolouration—from tiny yellow patches to an entire darkening of one’s teeth in severe cases. Moreover, due to enamel erosion, you might even find that one single tooth appears differently compared to its counterparts.
Swollen gums
A fracturing tooth has the potential to result in a detrimental immune response if bacteria breach the gap between gum and root, which not only leads to inflammation but can also cause swelling of surrounding gums. If neglected, these cracks that worsen over time may further irritate next-door connective tissue in your gingiva, causing even more severe difficulties. Therefore it is essential that this issue be treated immediately.
Diagnosing cracked teeth syndrome:
Even though some cracked teeth may be obvious to the unaided eye, many require a dentist’s expertise for proper diagnosis. Our trusted professionals can detect multiple signs and symptoms via an examination before instituting any treatments. It is vital that we are aware that diagnosing fractured teeth will always necessitate skilled help from one of our qualified dentists.
Our team of proficient dentists are equipped with the skill set and knowledge to accurately diagnose cracked tooth syndrome through the use of several methods, such as:
- a physical examination of your mouth
- your dental history
- diagnostic tests such as X-rays and CT scans
- specialised tools such as a dental explorer
- a dental dye
among other dental diagnostic treatments.
How to treat tooth fractures
Based on the location, depth and width of the crack in your tooth, our dentists have multiple methods to treat and mend it.
Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is an effective method for treating cracked teeth syndrome. During the procedure, damaged tissue and any bacteria from within the tooth are removed with precision and then sealed off to stop further infection. This intervention usually works provided that no other harm has been caused since diagnosis. By undergoing root canal therapy, you can be certain that your smile will stay healthy and intact.
Composite resin restorations
For those suffering from cracked teeth syndrome, composite restorations present a reliable and versatile treatment. Our exceptional dentist will first inspect the damaged tooth to assess its condition before considering whether root canal therapy is necessary. Subsequently, layers of composite resin are applied directly over the broken area until it reaches its desired shape and size for optimal results.
Composite restorations are both robust and aesthetically pleasing, as they can be tailored to blend seamlessly with the hue of a patient’s natural teeth. In addition to preserving one’s smile, these treatments also provide lasting protection against further damage from wear or decay over time.
Dental crowns
Our dentists craft custom-made porcelain or ceramic dental crowns to cover the entirety of the cracked tooth, serving as a protective layer to prevent any further cracking. By shielding it from damaging stimuli like grinding and biting force, this barrier will ensure that your underlying tooth structure remains in optimal condition.
Tooth extraction
In certain cases, dental fractures are so severe that they cannot be remedied with conservative treatments such as root canal therapy and composite restorations. In these scenarios, your dentist may advise a tooth extraction in order to protect against any more harm or issue from occurring.
During an extraction process, our specialists will cautiously extract the damaged tooth from its socket in order to eradicate any potential source of contamination while permitting proper healing and regeneration of gums. If you think you may have fractured tooth syndrome, it is essential that you receive prompt dental attention – this can help avert additional harm to your tooth, which could result in complex treatment requiring both time and money.
Are you dealing with a cracked tooth? Then look no further than Finesse Dental! Our professional dentists are well-positioned to treat any dental issue, and we’re available for emergency appointments. Don’t delay – contact us today to get the help that you need,
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References:
Cracked tooth
https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-tooth#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20a%20cracked%20tooth&text=pain%20when%20chewing%20or%20biting,gum%20around%20the%20affected%20tooth
Cracked tooth syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2346399/#:~:text=Cracked%20tooth%20syndrome%20has%20been%20defined%20as%20an%20incomplete%20fracture,by%20reproducing%20the%20patient’s%20symptoms.