I’ve cracked a tooth: now what?

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of biting into that perfect candy apple during the fall only to feel the pain of your tooth cracking, you know the panic that can set in. With the season of hand candy and sticky treats just around the corner, the team at Soddy Daisy Smiles has some truth about the types of cracks that can occur and what to do in the event of a cracked or damaged tooth.

Types of cracks:
1. Craze lines: A craze line is most common in adults and happens when there are very tiny cracks in the enamel only. “There’s no real reason to worry about these as the biggest impact they create is in their appearance,” said. Dr. Mandy. “If patients are bothered by them, we do have options.:
2. Cracked tooth: This injury happens when the crack reaches from the top chewing surface of the tooth and goes all the way, or nearly all the way to the root. Dr. Robert said this one can be very painful and needs immediate treatment such as dental bonding or a crown.
3. Fractured cusp: A fractured cusp results in a piece or section of the chewing surface cracking or breaking off completely and usually occurs after a hard hit or bad bite. Dr. Mandy said it’s not typically painful, but again the concern here is appearance and chewing ability that can affect overall dental and digestive health down the road.
4. Split tooth: A split is the result of a cracked tooth that’s been left untreated for too long. “We usually can’t save these in tact, so this is another reason to not let a crack go if you think you’ve done some damage,” Dr. Robert said. “Sometimes a veneer or crown can cover the problem, but in cases where it’s gone too long and reached the pulp, a root canal will be needed.”
5. Vertical root break: This instance refers to cracks that actually begin at the root of the tooth and extend down to the chewing surface. “Most of the time we don’t see these until there are signs of infection or infection has already set in,” Dr. Mandy said. “They don’t typically present any symptoms, so patients need to make sure they try to avoid eating things that can cause the damage and practice good overall oral hygiene.”

What to Do:
1. Determine the severity based on the cause, and be honest with your dentist about the event. “Was it a bad bite? A hard hit? Different events create different types of damage,” said Dr. Robert. “The cause of a cracked tooth best leads us on the right track of the right treatment.” He added that you shouldn’t feel embarrassed about what happened and try to cover it up, as it’s a fairly common dental injury and easily treatable.
2. See your dentist as soon as possible after the event. Dr. Mandy encourages that the quicker you get in to see your dentist after a crack happens, the better chances for mending the tooth with the least amount of problems. “The important thing here is you want to avoid infection and any further damage,” she explained. “The quicker you get seen, the healthier your smile and mouth can stay.”

If you think you have a cracked tooth, check for the following symptoms: sensitivity to heat or cold, problems chewing, or if it’s recent, check for missing pieces. If you’ve been experiencing any pain or difficulty chewing, it’s best to reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. The team at Soddy Daisy Smiles is available to answer any questions or concerns or schedule an appointment for an exam. Contact 423-332-5275.