Teeth crack from biting hard objects, grinding, large fillings, or sudden temperature changes.
Causes
- Biting hard objects (ice, nuts, pens).
- Grinding and clenching.
- Large old fillings.
- Temperature changes.
- Trauma.
- Age.
Symptoms
Pain when biting, cold sensitivity or none.
Types
Craze lines, fractured cusp, split tooth.
Treatment
Bonding, crown or root canal.
See a dentist
Promptly.
Prevention
Avoid chewing ice and wear a night guard.
Types of cracks
Dentists classify cracked teeth as craze lines (surface cracks in enamel), fractured cusp, cracked tooth (extends from the crown towards the root), split tooth and vertical root fracture. Craze lines are common and harmless, while a split tooth often cannot be saved.
- Causes include biting hard objects such as ice, hard candy and popcorn kernels, grinding, large fillings that weaken the tooth, sudden temperature changes and trauma.
- Cracked tooth syndrome causes sharp pain on biting and release, with cold sensitivity.
- Cracks may not show on X-rays, and dentists use bite tests, transillumination and dye.
Treatment and prevention
A crown is the usual treatment to hold the tooth together, and a root canal may be needed if the pulp is affected. Split or deeply cracked teeth may need extraction and an implant. Wear a night guard if you grind, avoid chewing ice and see a dentist soon, since early treatment can save the tooth. Seek urgent care for severe pain, swelling or a visible broken piece.
Types of cracks
Dentists describe craze lines, fractured cusps, cracked teeth, split teeth and vertical root fractures. Causes include biting hard items, grinding, large fillings and temperature changes.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment can be bonding, crown, root canal or extraction. Avoid chewing ice and wear a night guard if you grind.
Crack classification
The American Association of Endodontists classifies craze lines (superficial), fractured cusps, cracked teeth, split teeth and vertical root fractures. Cracks are found in people aged 30 to 50 most often, and in lower molars. Symptoms are pain on biting and release, and sensitivity to cold.
Treatment by type
Craze lines need no treatment. Cracked cusps are fixed with crowns. Cracks reaching the pulp require root canal plus crown. Split teeth may need extraction. A crown costs about 800 to 1,700 USD. Avoid chewing ice, hard candy and popcorn kernels. A night guard reduces grinding forces, as bruxism affects about 10 percent of adults.
Based on data from the American Association of Endodontists and the American Dental Association
