There are a variety of reasons as to why a tooth might crack. Some of these reasons include:

• The pressure from grinding teeth together;
• Fillings that are too large that they weaken the tooth’s integrity;
• Chewing or eating hard foods – such as nuts or hard candy;
• Trauma or blows to the mouth, such as those that might happen in a fight or car accident;
• Abrupt temperature changes in the mouth, usually caused by eating something very hot or cold.
• As a result of aging, the majority of teeth cracks happen in those over the age of 50.

A cracked tooth can present itself in several ways, which include:

• Craze lines, which are fine lines in the enamel that do not cause pain or require treatment;

• A fractured cusp, which generally occurs around a dental filling;

• Cracks that may extend into the gumline;

• Split tooth, which is a crack that extends from the surface to below the gum line and can be separated into two and, if it is extensive, will likely need to be extracted although your dentist may be able to save part of it;

• Vertical root fracture, which is a crack that begins below the gum line and extends upwards and does not usually cause symptoms unless it becomes infected but it will likely need to be extracted.

Not all cracked teeth will come with symptoms, sometimes you will not even notice that you have one unless your dentist or you does an examination of your mouth. However, you may have a cracked tooth if any combination of the following symptoms occurs: pain when you bite down or chew, particularly upon release; sensitivity to temperature and sweetness; pain that is not continuous but rather comes and goes; and swelling of the gum surrounding the affected tooth. If you suspect that one of your teeth may be cracked, you should see your dentist immediately.

A cracked tooth may be repaired & treated in a variety of ways, which may include:

• Using a plastic resin to fill the crack in, restoring the look and function of your teeth, which is a process known as bonding;

• You may need to be fitted for and receive a crown, which is a prosthetic that goes over your damaged or cracked tooth and caps it;

• Depending on the severity of the crack, you may need a root canal, which is generally recommended when the crack reaches the tooth pulp, where the damaged pulp is removed and some integrity may be returned to your tooth;

• The last option is extraction, which occurs when the structure of your tooth is compromised – along with the tissue and nerves below – and is the last resort.

If you suspect that you may have a cracked tooth, please visit our experienced dentist at Ideal Endodontics. Our friendly staff and dental specialists will help diagnose, treat, and repair your cracked tooth effectively so that you can get back to your life. Please give us a call or stop by our office at 1145 19th Street NW, Suite 314, Washington, DC 20036. We serve patients from Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, Silver Spring MD, Bethesda MD, and surrounding areas.