A healthy tooth is covered with strong, hard enamel. In some cases, this enamel gets cracked, which exposes the inner layers of the tooth, resulting in sensitivity and sometimes great pain, especially during chewing. Show
A visible crack on a molar. Sometimes the crack may not be visible even if the tooth is symptomatic.
Signs of a Cracked Tooth
Causes of a Cracked Tooth
Different Types of Cracked Tooth and Their TreatmentFRACTURED CUSPWhen a fragment of a tooth breaks off whilst the rest of the tooth structure remains intact, this is known as a fractured cusp. As long as the pulp is not exposed, the tooth can be restored with a bonded filling or a crown. Molar with a fractured cusp. Only the dentine is exposed. The tooth can be restored with a bonded filling or a crown. CRACKED TOOTHA cracked tooth happens when the enamel surface suffers a clean break and exposes the dentine, but the tooth itself has not separated into pieces. Unfortunately, such a crack cannot be sealed with a filling, as the tooth will flex during chewing and the crack will reappear and lead to pain and sensitivity. When biting on a cracked tooth, the tooth will flex and the crack widens, resulting in pain or great sensitivity. The best option is to brace and reinforce the cracked tooth with a crown to prevent the crack from expanding further. Crowning helps to brace the cracked tooth, so the crack does not widen during chewing. If the crack is deep and has caused pulp inflammation, a root canal treatment would be necessary to eliminate the affected pulp tissue and to prevent future pain and infections. Read more: What is a Root Canal Treatment?In severe cases where the crack has extended past the gum and into the roots, the tooth is no longer treatable and an extraction would be the best option.
SPLIT TOOTHA split tooth occurs when the crack extends deep enough to separate the tooth into 2 pieces. Usually, at least one portion will be loose, and sometimes the gums will start to swell and bleed around the tooth. Sadly, the tooth is no longer salvageable and needs to be extracted immediately to prevent a serious gum infection. A split tooth necessitating an immediate extraction.
Will My Cracked Tooth Heal After Treatment?Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth will not heal itself. The crack will remain and may progress further and deeper, resulting in poorer restorability. Even placement of a crown on a cracked tooth, which provides the best protection, may not guarantee success in all cases, especially when the crack has extended into the roots (considered as a root fracture). However, for the majority of patients, a crown with or without root canal treatment will relieve pain and reduce the risk of the crack worsening. As such, the tooth can be retained in the mouth and can continue to be functional. A fractured or cracked tooth occurs due to age, tooth grinding, trauma and other factors. You might not have any symptoms of a fractured tooth. Or you might notice pain, sensitivity and swelling. Your dentist has several methods to treat a fracture, depending on the crack’s location and severity.
OverviewWhat is a fractured tooth?A fractured tooth, often called a cracked tooth or cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), is when a crack appears in your tooth. The crack can sometimes be small and harmless. Other times, it can cause your tooth to break or split. Tooth fractures are most common in children and older people, although anybody can crack a tooth. If you suspect a broken tooth, see a dentist right away. What parts of a tooth can crack?Teeth consist of two parts:
Both the crown and the root consist of several layers:
Tooth fractures can affect some or all of these layers. Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on where the fracture happens and the severity of the fracture. A broken tooth may hurt or feel sensitive, though some fractures cause no symptoms. See a dentist right away. Getting treatment sooner increases the chances of repairing a cracked tooth. Symptoms and CausesWhat causes a fractured tooth?The most common causes of tooth fractures are:
Which teeth are most likely to fracture?Fractures occur most often on the upper front teeth and the teeth toward the back of your lower jaw (mandibular molars). Though people commonly fracture one tooth, more severe injury or trauma may fracture multiple teeth. People with dental cavities have a higher risk of fracture, even with less severe trauma. What are the symptoms of cracked tooth syndrome?Cracked teeth don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, the main symptoms include:
Diagnosis and TestsHow do healthcare providers diagnose fractured teeth?To diagnose a fractured tooth, your provider will ask about your symptoms and what caused the possible broken tooth. They will ask about trauma or injury you’ve experienced. For a thorough evaluation of your teeth, you’ll need to see a dentist. They will ask about your dental history and whether you grind your teeth or chew on ice or hard foods. After that, your dentist will:
What are the types of tooth fracture?Your dentist will classify your fracture as one of the following five categories:
Management and TreatmentCan I treat a fractured tooth at home?To treat a fractured tooth, your dentist may send you to an endodontist (a dental specialist who focuses on dental pulp and root issues). These steps may relieve symptoms at home before you see your dentist:
How do dentists treat a fractured tooth?Treatment for a fractured tooth depends on how much damage your tooth has. Common cracked tooth treatments include:
Sometimes your dental provider may recommend not repairing a broken tooth at all. This may occur when your fracture does not:
PreventionCan I prevent a fractured tooth?You can’t prevent every tooth fracture. But you can reduce the risk of cracked tooth syndrome with good dental practices:
Outlook / PrognosisCan a cracked tooth heal?No, a cracked tooth can’t heal, but treatment might save your tooth. Getting your broken tooth repaired quickly can lessen your risk of more damage and infection. How long will my broken tooth repair take?Repairing your broken tooth may take weeks or months depending on your treatment. Your dentist will give you a better idea of how long your specific repair might take. For instance:
What is the outlook for a fractured tooth?With prompt treatment, repaired teeth can last for years and not cause any other issues. But even with treatment, tooth cracks may sometimes continue to get bigger or split. This can result in tooth loss at some point. Living WithWhen should I see my healthcare provider about a fractured tooth?Sometimes a cracked tooth may lead to an infection (tooth abscess). Tell your provider if you notice symptoms including:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Accidents and many other causes can break a tooth. If it’s visible, it can affect your appearance and feel embarrassing. You might notice pain, sensitivity, swelling, or signs of infection, but you can also crack a tooth without any symptoms. See your dentist right away if you suspect a fractured tooth. Treatments may save your tooth, restore your appearance and prevent further dental problems. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/04/2021. References
Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information enewsCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & ServicesHead & Neck InstituteOur providers specialize in head and neck surgery and oncology; facial plastic and reconstructive surgery; general otolaryngology; laryngology; otology, neurotology and lateral skull base disorders; pediatric otolaryngology; rhinology, sinus and skull base surgery; surgical sleep; dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and allied hearing, speech and balance services. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy More health news + infoShow More
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Can my dentist fix a cracked tooth?Dentists can provide patients with the cracked tooth repair services they need so they can once again experience good oral health.
What can a dentist do for a cracked tooth?Your dentist may recommend a crown, root canal, or tooth extraction. If your dentist thinks a crown is best, a filling material can repair the crack. If the inside of your tooth is damaged, your dentist may suggest a root canal to remove the damaged tissue. The root canal will be recommended if there's an infection.
Should a cracked tooth be removed?A fractured tooth must be removed as carefully as possible in order to preserve the integrity of the surrounding bone. Sometimes, the surrounding bone becomes damaged as a result of the traumatized tooth, in which case additional procedures such as bone grafting or recontouring may be necessary.
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