Cracked or Broken Tooth

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When you bite down, you feel a sharp pain. It quickly disappears, and perhaps you ignore it. You avoid certain foods or chew only on one side of your mouth. Does this sound familiar? If so, you may have a cracked or broken tooth.

What causes a tooth to crack?

A tooth may crack due to a variety of factors:

Chewing on hard objects or foods such as ice, nuts, or hard lollies;
An accident such as a blow to the mouth;
Uneven chewing pressure;
Stress on a tooth;
Loss of a significant portion of tooth structure through wear, large fillings or other restorations;
Exposure of tooth enamel to temperature extremes such as eating hot food and then drinking ice water;
Brittleness of teeth that have undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment.

How can you tell if a tooth is cracked?

It could be difficult. You may not even be able to tell which tooth hurts or whether the pain is from an upper or lower tooth. A crack may appear as a hairline fracture, running vertically along the tooth. It often is invisible to the eye and may not show even on an x-ray.

You can help our participating dentists determine which tooth is causing the problem by noting when and where you have the sensitivity to heat or cold and to sweet, sour or sticky food as well as approximately where the pain is when you are chewing.

Why does a cracked tooth hurt?

A cracked tooth may hurt because the pressure of biting causes the crack to open. When you stop biting, the pressure is released and a sharp pain results as the crack quickly closes.

Even though the crack may be microscopic, when it opens, the pulp inside the tooth may become irritated. The pulp is a soft tissue that contains the tooth's nerves and blood vessels. If the crack irritates the pulp, the tooth may become sensitive to temperature extremes. If the pulp becomes damaged or diseased as a result of the crack, root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.

How is a cracked tooth treated?

Depending on the size and location of the crack, treatment may vary from bonding to root canal treatment. A severely cracked tooth may need extraction. Our participating dentists will determine the best treatment for you.

Tiny cracks are common and usually do not cause problems. Regular dental check ups are important. They allow our participating dentists to diagnose and treat problems in the early stage. If you continue to have pain, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and call a participating dentist.

If you enjoyed this article, you can read other similar articles by clicking on Your Oral Health.