Cracked Tooth

How Teeth Grinding Can Lead to Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Some teeth have tiny cracks that do not show up on X-rays. Sometimes cracks are beneath the gum. The little cracks are referred to as "cracked tooth syndrome." This syndrome is particularly frequent in the lower back teeth (molars). That is because these teeth absorb the majority of the chewing effort.

What Is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Some people grind and clench their teeth. These people may have a higher risk of developing cracked tooth syndrome. Sometimes the way a person’s teeth connect might put too much pressure on one tooth. This can cause teeth to break.

• Teeth with big fillings may be more vulnerable to cracking. 
• Teeth that have had root canal therapy are weaker than normal teeth and may be more liable to break. 
• People with one fractured tooth are more inclined to get others, either simultaneously or later.

A crack in a tooth can also result in a pulp infection, as bacteria can infiltrate the crack and cause an infection within the pulp tissue located inside the tooth.

Signs and Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth:

Occasionally, when you bite or chew, your teeth may pain. Either moderate or severe sensitivity or discomfort is possible. It might go on for a short while or a long period. Certain meals or biting patterns are the only times when it hurts. Unlike when you have a cavity or an abscess, you won’t have persistent pain. There’s a chance the tooth is more susceptible to cold.

The tooth may break off in pieces if the crack widens. This may occur in the gingiva around the broken tooth. You can see a pimple-like lump on the gum line next to the tooth. We call this a fistula when the pus comes out of the zit.

Many people with cracked tooth conditions have symptoms for several months. Cracked tooth syndrome is one of the most challenging dental conditions to identify since the pain is unpredictable. Your dentist might recommend you to an endodontist (a root canal expert).

Cracked Tooth Diagnosis - Guiding Through the Process:

Your dentist will examine your teeth and mouth, paying particular attention to the problematic tooth. To feel the tooth cracks, they’ll use an explorer, a sharp tool. The gums around the tooth will also be examined by your dentist. You could be getting X-rays. However, the crack is frequently invisible on X-rays.

Your dentist may test the tooth using specialized tools. One tool resembles a toothbrush without bristles. As you bite down, it covers one portion of the tooth at a moment. The area of the tooth being examined most likely has a break in it if you experience discomfort.

Treatment of a Cracked Tooth:

A crack in a tooth can occasionally damage one or more of the points. These are the tooth’s highest points. Here, the tooth could be restored with a crown, sometimes referred to as a cap. The pulp, or the inside of the tooth where the blood vessels and nerves are located, can sustain breaks. Your tooth will later require root canal therapy.

Root canals are necessary in around 20% of cracked teeth syndrome cases. If you’re among the individuals who wonder what happens during a root canal procedure, here’s what you need to know. A root canal procedure involves numbing the tooth area, accessing and removing infected or damaged pulp tissue, cleaning and disinfecting the tooth and root canals, filling the canals with a medicated substance to prevent recontamination, and sealing the tooth with a filling or crown to restore function and prevent further infection.

After a root canal treatment under general anesthetic, the tooth will no longer be temperature-sensitive, but it will continue to respond to pressure. If you were in discomfort before the root canal, you may continue to feel pain afterward. It is unlikely to be frequent, but it may still occur.

In some cases, the dentist can also advise you to remove the tooth when the tooth’s root is impacted by cracks. You can have a bridge or an implant installed in its place if your tooth needs to be removed.

Seek Assistance from a Professional:

If you experience discomfort while biting or chewing, don’t hesitate to visit the American Hospital Dubai for top-quality care without delay. Our team of dental specialists can proficiently address issues such as cracked tooth and dental pulp infection, offering valuable consultations regarding the procedure for a cracked tooth or infected pulp tooth treatment.