general description
A cracked tooth can develop naturally from chewing hard foods, grinding your teeth at night, and even with age. It is a common condition and theMain causeLoss of teeth in industrialized countries.
Teeth break due to a variety of problems, including:
- Pressure from grinding teeth
- Fillings so large that they weaken the integrity of the tooth
- Chewing or biting into hard foods, such as ice cream, nuts, or candy
- Bumps to the mouth, such as might occur in a car accident, sports injury, fall, or even a fight
- Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as when you eat something extremely hot and try to cool your mouth with ice water
- Age, with most dental fissures occurring in people over 50
Cracks can appear as:
- crazy lines.These are very small cracks in the enamel (the strong outer coating) of your teeth. They do not cause pain and do not require treatment.
- Broken hump.This type of crack usually occurs around a dental restoration. It usually does not affect the pulp of the tooth (the soft center of the tooth where the nerves, connective tissue and blood vessels reside) and therefore does not cause much pain.
- Cracks that extend to the gum line.A tooth that has a vertical crack running through it but not yet reaching the gum line can usually be saved. However, if the crack extends to the gum line, that tooth may need to be extracted. Immediate treatment offers the best chance of saving the tooth.
- broken toothThis is a tooth with a crack that extends from its surface to below the gum line. In fact, it can be divided into two segments. With such an extensive crack, it is unlikely that the entire tooth can be saved, but part of it can be saved by your dentist.
- Vertical root fracture.This type of tear starts below the gum line and works its way up. It usually doesn't cause many symptoms unless the tooth becomes infected. The tooth will likely need to be extracted.
Not all cracked teeth cause symptoms. But when it does happen, some of the more common ones include:
- Pain when chewing or biting, especially when releasing the bite
- Sensitivity to heat, cold or sweetness
- Pain that comes and goes but rarely lasts
- Swollen gums around the affected tooth
Even X-rays don't show a cracked tooth, and not everyone has the typical symptoms. To diagnose a cracked tooth, your dentist will likely do the following:
- Ask about their dental history, for example. B. if you chew a lot of hard food or grind your teeth.
- Do a visual inspection. Your doctor may need to use a magnifying glass to see small cracks.
- feel the crack Your dentist may run a dental explorer over and around the tooth to see if it is "hanging" on one of the edges.
- Use a tooth color that can enhance the crack.
- Examine your gums and look for inflammation. This technique is especially useful for identifying vertical cracks that can irritate the gums.
- bone scanyour teeth. While this does not necessarily show the tear, it could indicate poor pulp condition, which could indicate the presence of a tear.
- bitten into something If you have a broken tooth, you may feel pain when you release the bite.
Treatment depends on the size of the tear, where it is located, your symptoms, and whether the tear extends to the gum line. Depending on these factors, your dentist may recommend one of the following:
Connection
In this procedure, your doctor uses a synthetic resin to fill the fissure and restore its appearance and function.
corona
A dental crown is a prosthetic device, usually made of porcelain or ceramic. It is placed over or covers the damaged tooth.
To fit a crown, your dentist first scrapes away some of the tooth enamel to make room for the crown in your mouth. They then take an impression of the tooth, choose a color that matches your teeth, and send the impression to a dental lab to make the crown.
This process can take a few weeks. When the crown returns, your dentist will fit and cement it onto the cracked tooth.
With advances in technology, some dentists can mill a porcelain crown in the office and insert it the same day.
With proper care, a wreath can last a lifetime.
root channel
If a tear is so extensive that it extends into the pulp, your dentist or a specialist such as an oral surgeon or endodontist will recommend one.root channelto remove damaged pulp and restore some tooth integrity. This procedure can prevent the tooth from becoming infected or further weakened.
Extraction
If there is severe damage to the tooth structure and the underlying nerves and roots, tooth extraction may be your only option.
No treatment
Many people have small cracks in their tooth enamel. If these cracks do not affect appearance and do not cause pain, your doctor may recommend that you leave them alone.
If you are worried about your broken tooth and you don't already have a dentist, you can consult the doctors in your area about it.Healthline FindCare-Tool.
Perhaps the biggest complication of a broken tooth is the infection, which can spread to the bones and gums. Some symptoms of a tooth infection (also known as a tooth abscess) include:
- Fever
- pain when chewing
- inflamed gums
- Sensitivity to heat and cold
- delicate glands in the neck
- bad breath
Your dentist may try to remove the pus from the infection and then prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria.
While it's not possible to treat a broken tooth at home, you can try to avoid it.
Strong teeth are less likely to break, so practice good dental hygiene. Brush twice a day, floss every day, and see your dentist every six months for prevention.
Avoid chewing hard foods.
Always wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, and wear it while sleeping if you grind your teeth.
When you think you broke a tooth,lavarwith warm water to clean the mouth and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to prevent swelling. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) can reduce swelling and pain. And make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment puts your mouth at even greater risk.
Costs vary depending on the extent of the crack and where you live in the country. Dental fees tend to be higher in major metropolitan areas.
In general, however, you can expect the following costs:
- $100 to $1,000 for dental bonding, depending on complexity.
- $1,000 to $1,500 per crown, depending on what material the crown is made of.
- $500 to $2,000 per root canal, depending on where the tooth is.
- $150 to $250 for a tooth extraction.
A broken tooth is an everyday experience for many. There are several procedures available to preserve the tooth and its appearance.
Although a crack can be repaired, a broken tooth will never heal 100%, unlike a broken bone. But prompt treatment offers the best chance of saving your tooth and preventing infection and further damage. And although your mouth may be sore after treatment, the pain should go away within a few days.
Good dental hygiene, avoiding hard foods, and wearing a mouth guard when grinding your teeth or playing contact sports go a long way toward protecting your smile.