Can Cracks in Teeth Be Fixed? Exploring Treatment Options for Damaged Teeth

The smallest accident or sporting injury can result in damage to the teeth and gums. Such incidents are almost inevitable in everyday life and nobody is immune from dental injury. 

Thanks to many advances in modern dentistry techniques, however, dental injury is not the disaster it once was. Today, cracks, chips, fractures and breaks can be treated and the teeth restored to their former condition.

Can Cracks in Teeth Be Fixed?

Cracks or fractures can arise for many reasons. Accidents, injury, grinding or even just age can result in tiny (sometimes almost invisible) cracks appearing. These can go undetected but there may be a resulting sensitivity to hot and cold substances or even swelling around the affected tooth.

The treatment required to repair cracks or fractures will depend on the type of fracture and the severity of the problem. There are five types of fracture:

Cracked Tooth. Usually a straight crack from the tooth down to, and possibly under, the gum.

Hairline Cracks. Also called craze lines, these are tiny cracks on the tooth’s surface.

Cusp Fracture. These are cracks that form around dental fillings.

Split Tooth. A serious fracture that splits a tooth and may extend under the gums.

Vertical Root Fracture. Often unnoticed unless the tooth becomes infected, a vertical root fracture runs from below the gumline and into the tooth’s pulp and enamel.

Any damage to the surface or inside of a tooth will only worsen over time and prompt action should be taken at the first indication of a problem. The precise nature and severity of the crack must be determined by a dentist before the appropriate remedial action can be carried out.

Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Causes

Sporting injuries are one of the chief causes of dental damage but there are a number of other common reasons why a tooth may become fractured, chipped or broken.

Hard Food. Eating hard candy, chewing on ice and even nuts or popcorn kernels can lead to cracks and chips.

Bruxism. Also called teeth grinding, bruxism is a major contributory factor to fractures, chips and cracks.

Accident. A blow to the face during sport or other exercise can lead to tooth damage.

Dental Treatments. Some dental treatments such as fillings or root canal work can weaken a tooth making cracking more likely.

Father time also plays a role in dental health. A tooth will naturally wear down and weaken over time. Middle-aged and older people are more prone to cracks and chips than the younger generation.

Symptoms

Unless the problem is visible such as a large crack or chip, there may be no symptoms in the early days. When symptoms appear they may include one or more of the following:

Pain in a tooth when biting down or eating

Sensitivity to hot and cold foods or temperature change

Swelling or inflammation around the base of the tooth

Toothaches

In many cases a cracked tooth goes undetected for a long period as there may be no visible or physical indications of the problem. This is why regular check-ups at the dentist are so important if these issues are to be detected and treated before the problem worsens.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose the precise nature of the problem, a dentist will inquire as to possible causes and the presence of any symptoms. Having noted these details there is a range of tests that may be undertaken:

Check for pain while biting down on a block or stick

External examination for cracks or other visible issues

Examine the gums for signs of inflammation associated with vertical fractures

Use a special light that illuminates fractures and cracks

Use a colored dye to better define any cracks

Use a tool called a periodontal probe to measure any bone loss around the tooth

A X-ray will also likely be necessary to detect underlying issues including any bone loss in the jaw and any internal damage to a tooth. If the issue is internal the dentist may refer a patient to an endodontist who specializes in problems with the dental pulp and roots.

Can Broken Teeth Be Saved?

Regardless of the amount of damage done to a tooth, it can usually be saved and an extraction avoided. There a number of treatment options available and which is best will vary from case to case. Many factors must be taken into account including the scale of the problem and the location of the damaged tooth.

Dependent upon circumstances, the dentist may select:

Dental Bonding, The cracks are simply filled in with a special resin.

Veneers. Custom-fit covers or shells called veneers may be used to cover the affected tooth.

Dental Crown. The damaged tooth may be reshaped and covered by a permanent false tooth called a crown.

Root Canal Treatment. Deep cracks penetrating the tooth’s inner pulp may require root canal treatment to clean out any existing infections and prevent reinfection.

It is only as a last resort that the dentist will opt to extract a tooth but this may be unavoidable in extreme cases where repair is impossible. Should this be the case the resulting gap can be filled with an implant or false tooth.

This situation can be largely avoided by taking proper care of the teeth and notifying the dentist immediately if any damage is suspected. Cracks, chips and breaks are common but the likelihood of these issues occurring can be reduced. 

Taking care to protect the mouth with protective gear during sporting activities and seeing the dentist regularly are the two most effective methods for avoiding these problems along with a common sense approach to what is eaten or put in the mouth.