Cracked Tooth Syndrome

What is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Cracked tooth syndrome tends to present itself with when a tooth has a crack that causes pain or discomfort especially when biting into food, or when exposed to cold or hot elements. Often times, the crack itself is too small to show up on X-rays, or is hidden under the gum line, thus making it challenging to identify. It appears the most often on molars.

What causes it?

There is no one true cause for cracked tooth syndrome. However, here are some common causes:

- Bruxism (the clenching and grinding of teeth)

- Teeth with large fillings

- Teeth that have had a root canal treatment

- The misalignment of teeth that cause too much pressure on one tooth

What is the proposed treatment?

There are several treatments options to treat a cracked tooth that include bonding, placing a crown, performing a root canal or in severe cases, extraction of the tooth. The recommended treatment will depend on several factors such as the location of the fracture, the severity, which tooth it is, among many other reasons. Your dentist will perform a series of tests and X-rays to determine which treatment option is best for you.

What should I do if I think I have a cracked tooth?

When not treated in time, the crack in the tooth could get bigger, causing some complications. For example, the crack might get big enough that a piece of the tooth may break off. There’s an increased risk of developing an infection in the gum around the fractured tooth.

Thus, it is necessary to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as you suspect anything, especially if you are in pain. Early diagnosis and treatment is always best.