Cracked Teeth & Extractions
While cracked teeth are quite a common problem for most adults, it’s where the severity of the crack leads to further complications that can become quite unique to the type of patient. While there are some cracks that form and often go unnoticed because they do not crack deep enough into the tooth, it doesn’t mean that the crack cannot become worse over time. It’s in the patient’s best interest to ensure they see their dental specialist on a regular basis to identify any cracks or any soon-to-be cracks in the tooth. If there are any signs of pain or symptoms that will be identified later on, immediate care should be taken to prevent further damage and cost.
Types of cracked teeth
During the checkup, the dentist will use various ways to see if you have any cracks in the teeth. Dental history, gum probing, visual inspection, X-rays, and 3D scans can all find areas of possible cracks or reveal the cracks themselves. The different types of cracks the dental specialist may diagnose can be one or a few of the following:
- A cracked tooth is usually a vertical crack in the tooth that starts from the top surface of the tooth, down into the gumline. In more serious cases, the crack can run further along from the gum line into the root of the tooth.
- Craze lines: Also known as Hairline cracks, these are small and thin cracks on the enamel of the tooth, usually not known to cause pain and a bit easier to treat.
- A fractured cusp occurs when the crack starts to form around a dental filling and also isn’t as painful.
- A split tooth occurs when the crack is large enough that it splits the tooth into two parts, causing that split to possibly run towards and below the gumline. This will cause pain and possible swelling of the gums in that area.
- A vertical root fracture is a type of crack that can actually start below the gum line and move upwards towards the top surface of the tooth. Usually, it can go unnoticed because it doesn’t cause symptoms right away until the nerves and tooth pulp become infected from exposure through the crack.
What calls for the extraction of the tooth?
Depending on the severity of the crack, the range of treatments can vary. In some cases where the crack is small and doesn’t have an impact on the person’s life, the tooth can either be left alone, the tooth can be bonded with resin, or it can be smoothed and polished out. Stepping up, a dental crown or veneers may be placed on the surface of the teeth to strengthen the cracked tooth and protect it from further wear. A root canal is another option when the crack goes deep enough and causes the tooth pulp to become infected, causing for removal of the pulp.
As for extractions, this is a last resort, or if the tooth is too severely damaged and can easily cause infections if they haven’t already. If extraction is the method, then the dentist will ensure that a dental bridge or implant replaces the missing tooth.
Related Article: Can Cracked Tooth Be Saved?