Broken Tooth

What Can Cause a Cracked Tooth?

Common causes of a broken tooth include:

• Biting or chewing very hard foods like popcorn kernels, candy, or ice
• Oral habits including nail-biting, chewing ice cubes or gum, or using your teeth as tools
• Age, as teeth are more likely to fracture after age 50
• Trauma, including sporting injuries, vehicle accidents or a blow to the mouth, or a bad fall
• Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
• Large restorations in a tooth or a root canal can weaken the tooth structure

Which Teeth Are More Likely to Break?

It’s very common to see a cracked front tooth due to an accident or trauma. The teeth further back in the mouth are more likely to crack if you bite down on something too hard. Usually, people will only fracture one tooth, but several teeth can crack if you have a severe injury. If you have crooked front teeth or teeth that are protrusive, these are more likely to suffer an injury than teeth in the right alignment.

Different Types of Broken Teeth

A cracked tooth can break in different ways. Sometimes it can develop a vertical crack from the crown down to the gum, and the crack may extend into the tooth root.

Vertical cracks. A tooth can split vertically into two pieces, cracking from the crown right through the tooth root. Vertical cracks can develop in the tooth root, traveling toward the crown. These vertical root fractures may not cause any symptoms unless the tooth root becomes infected.

Hairline cracks. Hairline cracks called craze lines can develop in the tooth enamel, often when you get older, and these are usually harmless. A fractured tooth cusp will often form next to a dental filling and isn’t normally painful.

What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Tooth?

One of the most common symptoms of a broken tooth is pain, but sometimes a cracked tooth is symptom-free.

Other signs that you may have tooth damage include:

• Pain when you bite down or chew food on the affected tooth
• Increased sensitivity to temperature changes when you eat something hot or cold or when you eat something sweet
• Pain that may be continuous or comes and goes
• Gum swelling around the affected tooth

If a cracked or broken tooth has become infected, other symptoms may develop, including bad breath, continuing toothache, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, and a fever.

Diagnosing a Broken Tooth

When you see Dr. Adam Shoukry, he can ask about your symptoms and examine the tooth in question. You may be asked to bite down to assess if the tooth is painful. Our dentist Dr. Shoukry will examine your gums for any signs of inflammation. We will almost certainly take a dental x-ray of the tooth and can use special tools to locate a tooth crack. We also provide emergency treatment for any broken tooth pain.

Treating a Chipped, Broken or Cracked Tooth

Whenever possible, we will try to save a broken or fractured tooth. The recommended solution for a broken tooth repair will depend on the extent of the damage.

Possible treatment options include:

• During dental bonding, one of our skilled dentists uses color-matched composite resin to cover any cracks, chips or cosmetic imperfections on your tooth
• A dental crown covers a badly broken or cracked tooth entirely and is suitable when you may have lost a substantial part of the original tooth
• Root canal therapy if the fracture has affected the dental pulp resulting in infection and inflammation
• A dental veneer can cover the front surface of a tooth and may be suitable if you only have a minor chip or crack in a tooth

Unfortunately, a cracked tooth repair might not be possible if the tooth is severely damaged and cracked. This might be the case when the tooth fracture has split the tooth vertically through the crown and into the tooth root.

Can I Prevent a Chipped or Cracked Tooth?

It isn’t always possible to prevent a tooth from breaking or fracturing, but good dental care can help considerably. Make sure you practice good oral hygiene and see our dentist regularly for checkups and hygiene appointments. Properly-cared-for-teeth are stronger and healthier and can be less likely to fracture. Avoid using your teeth as tools, and habits such as chewing on ice cubes, pens, pencils, or nails.

If you have a broken or chipped tooth, make an appointment to have it repaired immediately. South Nassau Dental Arts is here to help you with your emergency.

A cracked tooth can often result from a sports injury or clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism). We can provide custom-made sports mouthguards giving maximum protection for your teeth and jaws while you enjoy your chosen sports. If you clench and grind your teeth, we can help you by providing a custom-made night splint that protects your teeth, preventing injury.

Can a Cracked Tooth Repair on Its Own?

No, a broken tooth cannot heal without treatment. If you damage a tooth, come and see us as soon as possible. Getting a broken tooth repaired promptly can reduce the risk of further damage and potential infection.

Dr. Adam Shoukry, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist who strives to provide each of his patients with personalized care and educate them on the state of their dental health so that they can make informed decisions. Dr. Shoukry really enjoys his work and is committed to continued education, having attended several accredited courses in every aspect of dentistry.

Dr. Shoukry graduated from NYU College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and then completed his general practice residency at Nassau University Medical Center. Being a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Shoukry strives to provide comprehensive dental examinations, a full range of cosmetic treatments, and the best restorative oral health care available.

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