Imagine biting into a mouthwatering cheeseburger when you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your teeth. Now, your meal is ruined! On top of that, you have a tooth problem to deal with. This stabbing pain might be a symptom of a thin tooth fracture. There are different types of hairline cracks in teeth that appear for various reasons. Therefore, it helps to know what these cracks are for timely treatment.
Your dentist can conduct an x-ray to spot the crack. In addition, they might perform visual examinations or use a special bite tool to identify which area has a crack. But what exactly are they? Keep reading to know the causes, types, and treatments.
Hairline Cracks in Teeth Causes
Some possible causes you get hairline fractures in your teeth are:
- Wear and tear that results from aging
- Jaw clenching
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Mouth Injury
- Biting down on hard foods like nuts, candy, or ice
- Misaligned teeth
- Brittle tooth after root canal
- Loss of tooth structure due to a large filling or repeated fillings
Types of Hairline Fractures
When a tiny crack appears in your tooth, it is called a hairline fracture. They are so small that you might not suspect them straightaway. Nevertheless, some types of hairline cracks are more severe than others. Common types of hairline cracks in teeth are:
- Craze Line: Fine, painless cracks on tooth enamel. Craze lines teeth usually don’t require professional treatment. But you can opt for cosmetic treatment to reduce or cover them.
- Vertical Crack: A long crack that runs the length of your tooth, from top to bottom. You can treat them if they’re spotted early and don’t extend the gum line. Otherwise, you might need a tooth extraction.
- Split Tooth: A large crack that splits your tooth into at least two parts. It might be impossible to save a tooth with a large split crack.
- Fractured Cusp: A painless crack, known as a broken cusp, that appears around fillings. It usually does not touch your tooth’s pulp.
Hairline Crack in Tooth Symptoms
If you have a hairline crack in your teeth, these symptoms might appear:
- Increased sensitivity to extreme temperatures plus sugary, sour, or sticky foods and beverages.
- A shooting toothache when biting or chewing food
- Tooth pain that comes and goes
- Minor swelling on the gum line
Treatment Options
The hairline cracks in teeth treatment depend on a variety of factors. For instance, the location, size, and the fracture’s proximity to your gum line. Treating a hairline crack in your teeth might include one of these:
- A Dental Crown: an artificial tooth cap that is placed on a damaged tooth. It might be made of porcelain or ceramic.
- Bonding: a process that involves using plastic resin to fill the crack.
- Root Canal: a procedure to save the tooth with damaged or infected pulp.
Tooth Extraction: removing the tooth when severe damage considerably affects the tooth, nerves, and roots.
What to Do?
Hairline cracks in teeth appear for different reasons. Where some are nothing more than a cosmetic concern, other types of hairline fractures require dental treatment. So, if you notice a crack or symptoms of cracked teeth, dial (713) 858-8513 to contact Gessner Family Dentistry.