subject: Cracked Tooth Syndrome- What Are Your Treatment Options? [print this page] Teeth that are restored with large fillings or teeth that are affected by bruxism can cause a crack in your tooth. Some teeth contain cracks that are too small to show up on x-rays, while some cracks can be found under the gums. These small cracks are known as cracked tooth syndrome, which is most common in lower back teeth because the molars absorb most of the forces of chewing. Some people may even clench their teeth, which makes them even more likely to have cracked tooth syndrome.
This oral condition is best described as pain while either biting down or releasing a bite. The crack may or may not be visible and is rarely seen on an x-ray. If it is visible, it is usually seen as a vertical hairline crack. If it is not visible, it can usually be detected with the assistance of a "tooth sleuth." You might have a cracked tooth if you begin to chew your food on the opposite side of your mouth or avoid certain foods on the affected side. Your dentist in Naperville at White Eagle Family Dentistry is available to help eliminate your pain and fix your cracked tooth. Early diagnosis is critical-if your dentist can detect a crack while it is small, treatment can usually save a tooth.
Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome
You may experience pain in your tooth when you bite down or chew if you have CTS. However, this pain may not occur all the time. Rather, the pain may only occur when you eat certain foods or when you bite in a specific way. You will not feel a constant ache, as you would if you have a cavity or an abscess, but the tooth may be more sensitive to cold temperatures. And if the crack in your tooth worsens, the tooth may become loose. Many people with cracked tooth syndrome have symptoms for months, but it's often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are not consistent. To reiterate, some symptoms might include:
*A sharp pain that occurs either when biting down or when the bite is released.
*The pain does not usually linger, but disappears quickly when chewing stops.
*If you find yourself chewing food on the opposite side of your mouth and/or avoiding certain foods on the affected side.
*The tooth may also be sweet and temperature sensitive, which is caused when the crack is wide enough to allow sweets and temperature to again reach the dentin.
Your Treatment Options
Treatments for cracked tooth syndrome do not always completely relieve the symptoms, and depends on the location, direction and extent of the crack. Cracks can vary from superficial ones in the outer layers of the tooth to deep splits in the root affecting the pulp. If the crack affects one or more cusps of a tooth, the tooth may be restored with a crown. However, if a crack affects the pulp, you probably will need root canal treatment. About 20% of teeth with cracked tooth syndrome require root canals. After a root canal, the tooth will no longer be sensitive to temperature, but it will still respond to pressure. This means that if you felt pain when you bit down before the root canal, you probably will not feel it as intensely as before, but you may feel it from time to time. In severe cases, your tooth might need to be extracted.
If you experience pain upon biting or chewing, contact your dentist in Naperville immediately.
