Cracked Tooth, Causes, Symptoms and Solutions From Al Siraj Experts

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Have you had a cracked tooth? This condition happens more often than you'd think, and most people have experienced it firsthand over the past few years.

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Understanding the different types of cracked teeth, their causes, and their symptoms is crucial for the proper diagnosis and treatment of this common condition.

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This is where today's post comes in handy. We'll walk you through the nitty-gritty of Cracked teeth.

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So, grab a drink of your choice and get ready to dive in!

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What is a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth (also known as cracked tooth syndrome or fractured tooth) is a dental condition that occurs when a tooth is damaged and develops into a fracture. The fracture typically extends from the chewing surface down toward the root, and the tooth ultimately breaks into pieces.

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Cracks vary in size, shape, and depth and can occur in all parts of your teeth, leaving the patient with a damaged tooth structure and function.

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The Popular Types of Cracked Tooth

The most popular types of cracks are: 

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Craze lines

Also known as hairline cracks, these are very small cracks in tooth enamel. They are painless and don't require treatment.

Fractured cusp

This type of crack typically forms around a dental filling. A fractured cusp doesn't affect the pulp of your teeth, so it's not really painful.

Cracked tooth

This type of crack is vertical and extends from the biting surface to the gum line and root. (When it reaches the gum line, the tooth must be extracted.) However, if the crack hasn't reached that line, it is still savable.

Split tooth

This crack type is exactly what it sounds like. It occurs when a crack splits your tooth into two different parts. At the same time, it's not often possible to save the whole tooth. Your dentist can still save a portion of it.

Vertical root fracture

This crack typically starts below the gum line and moves upward. A vertical root fracture usually doesn't show symptoms unless a tooth becomes infected.

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What Are the Causes of Cracked Tooth?

When it comes to the causes of cracked teeth, we can find various, and we'll share them with you just below:

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• Bruxism or teeth grinding can cause teeth to crack over time.
• Age, especially with people over 50, where their teeth will start wearing down and cracking.
• Chewing or biting hard foods, like ice, nuts, popcorn, and candy.
• Former dental treatments, such as large fillings and root canals, can weaken teeth' structure and increase their likelihood of cracking.
• Accidents, for example, when your mouth is damaged while doing a sports activity or driving a vehicle.

What Are the Symptoms?

The reality is that cracked teeth don't necessarily don't cause symptoms. But when they do, here are the main ones you can experience:

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• Feeling pain in a tooth when biting or chewing some relatively solid food.
• Sharp pain when you bite down on a tooth.
• Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes or sweet foods.
• Swelling around the tooth.
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What Are The Treatments You Should Receive To Fix Your Tooth?

The treatment your dentist chooses for a cracked tooth depends primarily on the extent of the damage. Here are the most common treatments.

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• Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain or plastic that cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance and mask imperfections.
• Dental crown: A treatment that involves placing a custom-made porcelain or ceramic cap over the cracked tooth to protect and restore its structure.
• Root canal: A procedure to treat an infected tooth pulp caused by a deep crack, where the dentist removes the infected tissue to save the tooth and prevent further infection.
• Dental contouring: A procedure where the dentist smooths out rough edges, reshapes the tooth and polishes it to improve its appearance and alignment.
• Dental bonding: A technique where a dentist uses tooth-colored resin to fill in cracks and restore the tooth's appearance and function.
• Tooth extraction: The removal of a severely damaged tooth, often replaced by a dental bridge or dental implant to restore function and appearance.

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Waiting For You At Al Siraj Medical Center

If you happen to have a cracked tooth (God forbid) and you are unsure where to treat it in Qatar, you better opt for the best option in the market: Al Siraj Medical Centre.

We offer very safe treatment options for all our patients at Al Siraj Medical Center. You will see that our friendly dentists and nurses are delighted to help treat your teeth when you visit us at Al Siraj.

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Our customer service team is also super friendly, and you'll surely notice that when you get in touch for an appointment.

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You can also call us at +974 44493666.

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Cracked Teeth, FAQs

• Why are my teeth suddenly cracking?

Inadequate brushing and flossing, which allow plaque and bacteria to accumulate, can cause sudden tooth decay.

• Is it OK to leave a cracked tooth?

Leaving a cracked tooth untreated is a bad idea as this can lead to problems that are far more damaging than mere pain in the mouth.

• How serious is a cracked tooth?

If you overlook the treatment, a cracked tooth can cause a serious infection (tooth abscess) that may lead to complicated health issues.

• Should I brush a broken tooth?

Sure, you can still brush a broken tooth, but make sure to do it gently and carefully.

• How long before a cracked tooth becomes infected?

If you have a cracked tooth, you can experience an infection as quickly as a week or up to a few months later.

• How long can you go with a cracked tooth?

Patients should pay a visit to their dentists within a few days after the crack occurs and no more than two weeks after the incident.