Cracked Tooth Treatment Options

Cracked tooth is a common dental issue that if ignored can lead to infection and continuous severe pain. Accordingly, once you start to experience any symptoms or suspect you might have cracked teeth, you must visit your dentist as soon as possible to receive a suitable cracked tooth treatment based on your case and level of infection.

In this blog, we will discuss the different types of cracks, reasons for teeth fractures, in addition to most common treatments available. Moreover, we will highlight one of the best dental centres in Egypt that provides expert dental care solutions.

What is a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth is a dental case when something damages your tooth, causing a small break in it. Sometimes the crack is small to an extent that it doesn’t affect your tooth. However, some other times, it may go even worse, causing your tooth to break and split in pieces.

Most commonly cracks happen in your upper front teeth and the teeth in the back of your lower jaw, but it can also happen to any of your teeth. A cracked tooth is also known as cracked tooth syndrome (CTS) or a fractured tooth.

Cracked teeth aren’t always a serious problem, still you need to take any cracks seriously and visit your dentist.

Different Types of Tooth Cracks

Most commonly dentists classify tooth fracture to five categories, so your fracture will be one of the the following five:

Cracked tooth: A vertical crack in a tooth, extending from the chewing surface down to the gum line, is described. In some cases, this crack can even reach into the gum line and the root itself.

Craze lines: These are tiny and extremely thin cracks on your tooth enamel and they aren’t painful.
Fractured cusp: A fractured cusp can occur if a crack develops around a dental filling. Typically, fractured cusps are not very painful.
Split tooth: the name says it all, this type is when cracks split your tooth into two parts. A split tooth may extend beneath the gum line.
Vertical root fracture: That crack initially starts below your gum line and then keeps moving toward the surface of your tooth. Most likely you will not recognize this type as it might not trigger any symptoms initially unless tooth pulp infection happens.

What are The Causes of Cracked Teeth?

Chewing or biting hard foods, tooth decay or inflammation. All these factors make teeth prone to fractures
Poor dental hygiene routine, causing bacteria to grow and leading to tooth fractures.
Some medical conditions or certain medicines could increase the likelihood of tooth cracks.
Some dental treatments including dental filling or a root canal,can weaken the tooth, increasing its risk of cracking
Aging, as your teeth wear down when you get older and increases the risk of having cracked teeth.
Dental traumas due to accidents or oral infection while playing sports.

Who is Most Prone to Tooth Fractures?

People with a deficiency in essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D are more likely to have weakened teeth, making them more prone to fractures.
People aged 50 and older are more prone to tooth cracks than younger people.
Individuals experiencing acid reflux are at a higher risk of tooth fractures because stomach acids erode the enamel, leading to weaker teeth that are more vulnerable to harm and cracks.
People who don’t prioritize oral hygiene routine or regular checkups.
Individuals who consume a lot of soft drinks, as soda causes the enamel to erode, increasing the likelihood of causing tooth cracks.

How to Know you Have a Cracked Tooth?

Common cracked teeth symptoms include:

Unbearable hard pain associated with biting down on a tooth.
Sensitivity when consuming cold or warm food or beverages or eating sweet foods.
Inflammation surrounding the tooth.
Pain in the tooth upon biting or chewing.

Without proper cracked tooth treatment, this cracked tooth can result in an infection (a tooth abscess) which could lead to severe health complications. Symptoms of a tooth abscess include:

Halitosis (bad breath)
Consistent tooth pain.
High temperature
Inflamed gums.
Swollen & enlarged lymph nodes.

How do Dentists Diagnose Cracked Teeth?

While you may not realize you have a cracked tooth especially in the case of a tooth cracked in half no pain, dentists diagnose a fractured tooth by firstly asking about any symptoms you experience and your habits to discover possible causes. What next ?

You will be asked to bite down on a stick to check if you find it painful.
Assess your teeth for any cracks or any other signs of damage.
Check your gums for swelling, as vertical fractures can cause gum irritation.
Shine a light through your tooth to highlight the crack (transillumination).
Apply a staining dye to your tooth to make the crack more visible.
Use dental X-rays to examine cracks and some other related concerns. Imaging may include a 3D scan that allows dentists to discover bone loss that may be a sign of a crack.
Employ a periodontal probe to assist in locating the fracture. A periodontal probe is a slender instrument used to assess bone loss surrounding a tooth.

Best Cracked Tooth Treatment Available

Cracked tooth treatment depends on your case and to what extent your tooth is damaged.

Most common treatments include:

Dental bonding: Your dentist fills in cracks with plastic tooth-colored resin to restore the function and look of your teeth. Generally, dental composite filling price is usually less expensive than crowns and root canal treatment.
Dental crowns: In this lifelong repair, dentists usually fit a custom porcelain or ceramic cap over the damaged tooth. This could either be done in a single day or may extend to a couple of weeks, depending on the crown type.
Root canal: In more serious and severe cases, cracked teeth could extend down into your tooth pulp, causing infection. In this case, the dentists will need to do a root canal to remove damaged pulp.
Tooth extraction: If the crack causes severe damage to the root and nerves that cannot be treated, the dentist will tend to remove your tooth, replacing it with a dental bridge or implant.
Dental veneers: These are individually crafted shells designed to cover the front surface of a tooth; they can be made from porcelain or plastic.

El-Shenawy Clinics: Best Dental Care Centers in Egypt

El-shenawy dental centres stand out as one of the top dental care service providers in Egypt thanks to its team of experts who possess extensive experience in delivering a wide range of dental treatments effectively.

El-shwanwy clinics are the best choice for cracked tooth treatment due to their ability to offer competitive pieces without compromising the quality. They tailor the dental solution to each case individually, ensuring all clients receive the best care that matches their needs. Additionally, their expert team excel in using the latest technology and innovative solutions to achieve the best results.

Don’t wait until the case worsens. Contact us now to book an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I live with a cracked tooth?

No, because if you ignored it, cracked teeth can lead to infections and severe pain. Even if it doesn’t hurt, it is crucial to treat it.

Are there home remedies for tooth cracks?

No, you must visit your dentist as soon as you experience any symptoms and suspect there is a crack. However, you can lower the extent of the symptoms through:

Rinsing your mouth with salty water.
Placing an ice pack to prevent swelling.

Can I prevent tooth fractures?

You may not always have the full control to prevent it. However, following some tips may decrease the likelihood of having cracked teeth. These tips include: