Cracked and Fractured Teeth
Cracked teeth can cause a variety of symptoms, often leaving patients in discomfort. The most common signs include pain while chewing, uneven biting pressure, and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. In many cases, the pain is inconsistent, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact tooth causing the issue.
At Dawson Endodontics, our highly skilled and experienced endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating cracked teeth, providing effective solutions to alleviate your discomfort and restore your oral health.
Below is a list of the types of Cracked Teeth:
Craze Lines
Craze lines are small, superficial cracks that form in the outer enamel of teeth, most commonly seen in adults. These tiny fractures are typically harmless and have no significant impact on the overall health of your teeth.
Fractured Cusp
A fractured cusp occurs when a tooth's cusp becomes weakened and breaks. Fortunately, this type of damage rarely affects the tooth's pulp, meaning a root canal is typically not required. In most cases, your dentist will recommend restoring the tooth with a durable porcelain crown to protect and strengthen it.
Split Tooth
A split tooth typically develops from an untreated cracked tooth. It is characterized by a crack that separates the tooth into clearly defined segments. Unfortunately, once a tooth reaches this stage, it cannot be preserved in its entirety.
Treatable Cracked Tooth
A treatable cracked tooth typically features a vertical crack extending from the chewing surface toward the tooth’s root. In some cases, this crack may reach below the gum line and further into the root. When this occurs, it’s common for the tooth’s pulp to sustain damage. In such situations, Dr. Haddad or Dr. Navid may recommend a Root Canal Treatment to address the issue and preserve the tooth.
Vertical Root Fracture
A Vertical Root Fracture occurs when a crack begins at the root of a tooth and extends upward toward the chewing surface. This type of fracture often presents with minimal symptoms, making it difficult to detect in its early stages. Once diagnosed, Dr. Haddad or Dr. Navid may recommend an Apicoectomy (Endodontic Microsurgery) if part of the tooth can be preserved by removing the fractured root. However, if the damage is too extensive, extraction of the tooth may be necessary.
In many cases, chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.
Contact Dawson Endodontics TODAY!
Dawson Endodontics puts patient comfort and care at the top of our priority list, we look forward to meeting you and offering you the treatment you deserve.
Contact us at (706) 203-1176 to schedule an appointment today!