Symptoms of cracked teeth are notoriously tricky to describe. The discomfort can be temporary, fleeting, sharp, yet difficult to trace. If you’re in North Bethesda, MD, when you visit the doctors at Prostho Endo Dental Group, you’re seen from two perspectives (restorative and endodontic). That is because we think of the crack and its progression, depth, nerve involvement, and how best to keep a tooth (if at all possible). Using advanced diagnostics and treatment planning with a conservative approach, we will help address a cracked tooth before it gets to a complicated stage.
Cracked Tooth Symptoms To Look For
Cracked tooth symptoms can vary greatly between patients. You may bite into something and feel something sudden, or you may experience sensitivity when chewing. Sometimes a cracked tooth doesn’t have external signs and may require further investigation.
Symptoms of a cracked tooth may include:
- Discomfort when you bite down
- Sensitivity to cold
- A quick, sharp discomfort when releasing pressure
- Tenderness when you put pressure on just one tooth
- Difficulty locating an uncomfortable spot
Since the crack may be small or may be below the gumline, you will need a thorough dental evaluation. This way, we will have a better idea about the extent of the crack.
Small Cracks Are More Susceptible To Becoming Bigger Problems
A minor crack in your tooth can worsen as you continue chewing, clenching, or grinding. Once a tooth structure is cracked, chewing puts stress on the crack, which can widen. A small fracture may spread across more enamel and go down into the inner portion of the tooth called dentin or into the tooth nerve.
The issue with cracked teeth isn’t the discomfort. A crack also creates a pathway for the bacteria to enter the tooth and cause inflammation, infection, or tooth breakdown. We want you to get early care so that if the crack is minimal, there are more treatment options.
Advanced Diagnosis Of Cracked Teeth
Cracked tooth fractures may not show up clearly on an x-ray and thus be a challenge to diagnose. At Prostho Endo Dental Group, we evaluate you with a visual exam, magnification, bite test, periodontal probing, digital imaging, and symptoms. In this way, we can see if there are signs that a fracture may be limited to the visible part of your tooth.
We have the benefit of combining prosthodontic and endodontic knowledge for diagnosis. What we are considering is not just the internal health of the tooth and the restorability of your tooth long-term. What are the treatments you want and need, the tooth function you want to be able to do long-term, and the strength you need for your tooth to remain stable?
The Treatment Options For A Cracked Tooth
Treatment depends on a variety of factors, such as the position, depth, and direction of a crack. If a crack is in the enamel only, it may just require observation or simple repair; but if a cusp is cracked, a crown may be needed in order to rejoin the tooth and prevent splitting of the remaining parts. If the crack reaches the innermost part of the tooth containing the nerve, the patient may need root canal treatment to save the tooth before restoring it.
When the tooth cannot be predictably saved, or the crack goes under the gums or into the root, we explain the findings and discuss restoration and replacement options with the same emphasis on function, comfort, and esthetics.
Saving Teeth With Early Intervention
One of the reasons we advocate early intervention for a cracked tooth is that a crack may become increasingly harder to manage over time. When we have the opportunity to evaluate a tooth early, we can often help maintain the tooth and avoid reaching the nerve or the root.
At Prostho Endo Dental Group, in the North Bethesda, MD area, we take a conservative, tooth-saving approach, and we emphasize thorough and accurate diagnosis before any treatment. Rather than providing a generalized “cookie-cutter” approach, we discuss the potential of saving the tooth, what structure may remain, and which type of restoration will offer the longest-lasting repair.
What Leads To Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal treatment may be necessary if bacteria have entered the inside or pulp of the tooth through a crack, or if the nerve becomes inflamed and uncomfortable from repeated trauma. When a nerve may be involved, we look for lingering sensitivity, spontaneous discomfort, swelling, or discomfort that persists once the biting pressure is removed.
If root canal treatment is the necessary approach, the objective is to remove the inflamed or infected pulp tissue from within the tooth while maintaining all of the external tooth structure, and a restorative procedure, usually a crown, can then prevent further fracture and restore proper chewing function.
Protection After Treatment
A cracked tooth may require further steps, such as a crown, to protect it from any further cracking or fracture, especially if a large amount of structure is missing or weakened. A nightguard may be necessary to help prevent excessive clenching and grinding during sleep that may have contributed to the fracture.
We also advise avoiding habits such as chewing on ice or other hard objects or using teeth to open things, which places excessive force upon weakened tooth structures. With proper protection and care, many cracked teeth can serve for a long time without problems.
Long-Term Monitoring & Prevention
The care of a cracked tooth does not simply end after the initial treatment, as a follow-up evaluation may help monitor for any future signs of change in the tooth, gums, bite, and/or restorations. This is particularly helpful for patients with a history of clenching or grinding, with teeth that have extensive fillings, teeth with previous work or decay, or multiple teeth showing similar wear patterns.
At Prostho Endo Dental Group, we provide careful, deliberate care for the management of cracked teeth, and we know that our patients expect straightforward solutions without the ambiguity of rushed recommendations. Using comprehensive and advanced diagnosis, we can combine our endodontic and restorative treatment to explain each patient’s particular situation, options, and recommendations, while working to save as many of their natural teeth as possible.