Tooth fractures or cracks occur due to age, teeth grinding, trauma and other factors. You may not have any symptoms of your broken tooth, or you may notice pain, tenderness, and swelling. Depending on the location and severity of the crack, your dentist has a variety of methods to treat the fracture.
What is a broken tooth?
A broken tooth, often referred to as a cracked tooth or cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), is when a crack appears in your tooth. The crack can sometimes be small and harmless, or it can lead to the breaking or separation of the tooth. Tooth fractures are most common in children and the elderly, but anyone can experience a broken tooth. If you suspect your tooth is broken, it's important to see a dentist immediately.
Which parts of the tooth can crack?
Teeth consist of two parts:
- Crown: The visible part above your gumline.
- Root: The part below your gumline.
Both the crown and root are composed of several layers:
- Enamel: The hard, white outer surface.
- Dentin: The middle layer of the tooth.
- Pulp: The soft inner tissue containing blood vessels and nerves.
Tooth fractures can affect some or all of these layers. Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on where the crack occurred and how severe it is. While some cracks may not cause any symptoms, a cracked tooth can cause pain or sensitivity. Seeing a dentist promptly can increase the chances of repairing the broken tooth.
What are the causes of a broken tooth?
The most common causes of tooth fractures include:
- Age: Many tooth cracks occur in people aged 50 and older.
- Biting on hard foods like candy, ice, or popcorn kernels.
- Habits such as chewing gum or crunching on ice.
- Large dental fillings or root canal treatments that weaken the tooth.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism).
- Trauma, falls, sports injuries, bicycle accidents, car accidents, or physical violence.
Which teeth are more likely to break?
Cracks most commonly occur in the upper front teeth and in the teeth toward the back of your lower jaw (lower molar teeth). While individuals often experience a single tooth fracture, more serious injuries or trauma can cause multiple teeth to break. People with cavities are at a higher risk of fractures even with less severe trauma.
What is cracked tooth syndrome, and what are its symptoms?
Cracked teeth do not always cause symptoms. When they do, the main symptoms include:
- Intermittent pain, especially during chewing.
- Sensitivity to temperature changes or sweet foods.
- Swelling around the tooth.
- Pain when biting or chewing.
How are cracked teeth diagnosed?
To diagnose a cracked tooth, your dentist will ask about your symptoms and what might have caused the possible cracked tooth. They will inquire about any trauma or injury you've experienced. A comprehensive evaluation of your teeth requires a visit to a dentist. They will ask about your dental history and habits such as grinding or chewing on ice or hard foods.
Your dentist will then:
- Examine whether your tooth is fractured (avulsed).
- Ask you to bite on a stick to see if you feel pain.
- Inspect your teeth for crack lines.
- Examine your gums for signs of inflammation due to vertical cracks that can irritate them.
- Shine a light through your tooth to illuminate the crack.
- Apply a colored dye to your tooth's surface to better visualize the crack.
- Take X-rays of your teeth to see related issues like cracks and bone loss. Imaging may include a cone-beam CT scan, which can show three-dimensional scans that suggest bone loss related to the fracture.
- Use special tools to find the crack by checking if the instruments fit into it.
What are the types of tooth fractures?
Your dentist will classify your fracture into one of the following five categories:
- Craze lines: A vertical crack extends from the biting surface of your tooth to the gum line. Sometimes, craze lines extend to your gum line and root.
- Cracked tooth: Small, thin cracks form on the outer enamel of your tooth. Craze lines do not cause any pain.
- Fractured cusp: A crack develops around a tooth filling. Fractured cusps are usually not very painful.
- Split tooth: A crack in your tooth extends from its surface to below your gum line. This fracture divides your tooth into two parts.
- Vertical root fracture: Cracks start below your gum line and progress towards the biting surface of the tooth. Vertical root fractures may not show symptoms unless your tooth gets infected.
Can I treat a broken tooth at home?
To treat a broken tooth, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist (a dental specialist focusing on dental pulp and root issues). These steps can alleviate symptoms before seeing your dentist:
- Place an ice pack outside your mouth to prevent swelling.
- Rinse your mouth with saline water to clean your teeth.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers recommended by your doctor to reduce pain and swelling.
How do dentists treat a broken tooth?
Treatment for a broken tooth depends on how much damage your tooth has sustained. Common treatments for a broken tooth include:
- Bonding: Plastic resin is used to fill the crack.
- Cosmetic contouring: Rough edge rounding and polishing correct a broken tooth.
- Crown: A porcelain or ceramic covering is placed over the broken tooth. Crowns are typically used when your natural tooth is not sufficient for a filling.
- Extraction: Complete removal of your tooth. This is used when there's significant damage to your tooth's root and nerves.
- Root canal: Removal of damaged pulp to prevent further weakening of the tooth. Used when the crack extends to your tooth's pulp.
- Veneer: A thin porcelain or plastic covering passes over the front of your tooth. Typically used when a large part of your natural tooth remains.
Sometimes, your dentist may advise against repairing a broken tooth. This can be done if your fracture does not lead to:
- Affecting your appearance.
- Causing pain or discomfort.
- Creating a problem for your tooth's future.
Can I prevent a broken tooth?
You can't prevent every tooth from breaking. However, good dental practices can reduce the risk of cracked tooth syndrome:
- Avoid chewing on hard foods or ice.
- Practice good dental and gum care.
- If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard made by your dentist.
- Regularly visit your dentist.
Can a cracked tooth heal?
No, a cracked tooth cannot heal, but treatment can save your tooth. Quick repair of your broken tooth can reduce the risk of further damage and infection.
How long does it take to repair a broken tooth?
Repairing your broken tooth can take weeks or months depending on your treatment. Your dentist will give you a better idea of how long your specific repair will take. For example:
- Crowns: Your dentist may fit a crown in a day, but most often, it requires multiple appointments.
- Extractions: Replacing your tooth with a dental implant can take months.
- Veneers: Creating a veneer typically takes three to four weeks before your dentist places it on your tooth.
What does a broken tooth look like?
Teeth repaired with quick treatment can last for years and not cause any other problems. However, even if treatment is applied, tooth cracks can sometimes continue to grow or split. At some point, this can lead to tooth loss.
When should I see my dentist?
Sometimes, a broken tooth can lead to an infection (dental abscess). Notify your dentist if you notice the following symptoms, among others:
- Bad breath.
- Persistent tooth pain.
- Fever.
- Swollen gums.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes.
Accidents and many other reasons can cause a tooth to break. It can affect your appearance and make you feel embarrassed. You may notice signs of pain, sensitivity, swelling, or infection, but you can also break your tooth without any symptoms. If you suspect your tooth is broken, see your dentist immediately. Treatments can save your tooth, restore your appearance, and prevent further dental problems.
The above information is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical examination or diagnosis. To obtain detailed information, you can call Cafe Diş Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic to make an appointment to see our experienced physicians in the field.
