CRACKED TEETH
Some common types of cracks are superficial and require no intervention while other cracks can eventually lead to loss of your tooth. A cracked tooth can cause a wide variety of symptoms. The movement along the crack irritates the nerve of the tooth. If cracks and fractures are left untreated they can allow bacteria from your saliva to penetrate the tooth and cause infection.
At our office, we will thoroughly evaluate your tooth to determine if endodontic treatment is necessary. Sometimes a fractured tooth will only need the added protection of a crown, which would be done by your dentist.
CRAZE LINES
These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.
FRACTURED CUSP
When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.
CRACKED TOOTH
This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.
VERTICAL ROOT FRACTURE
A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise the tooth will have to be extracted.
SPLIT TOOTH
A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, endodontic retreatment by the doctors and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.