Cracked Tooth Syndrome

You may have a very common problem in one of your teeth. Your teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods, ice, or by suddenly biting on an unexpected hard object. Teeth can also crack as a result of grinding your teeth, which can occur during sleep.

Teeth with or without restorations (fillings) may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with silver alloy (amalgam) and teeth that are heavily restored are most susceptible. Older persons have more cracked teeth than younger people.

Types of Cracked Teeth

Complex Cracked Tooth

Management of Cracked Teeth

Simple Crack: The majority of cracked teeth (about 8 out of 10) can be treated by providing a new restoration or by placement of a crown (cap) on the tooth. When the tooth is restored the pain usually resolves immediately. Some times due to the extent of the crack a crown will need to be prepared. If this is the case with your tooth a crown can be proceeded with and when fitted to the tooth the condition should be resolved.

Cracked Tooth After Treatment

Complex Crack: Occasionally, (about 1-2 in 10) the tooth cracks into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. If the pain persists after placement of the temporary restoration or temporary crown, you may have a crack into the pulp of the affected tooth. This tooth may require endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) before the crown is proceeded with. If this is the case, we will refer you to an endodontist for treatment prior to scheduling to begin finalising a crown fitting.

Complex Cracked Tooth With Crown in place