Cracked Teeth

What Causes a Tooth to Crack?

A tooth may crack due to:
  • Weakness of the tooth caused by wear, large fillings, or other restorations
  • Chewing on hard objects or foods such as ice, nuts, or hard candy
  • An accident, such as a blow to the mouth
  • Grinding and clenching your teeth
  • Uneven chewing pressure
  • Stress on a tooth
  • Exposure of tooth enamel to temperature extremes, such as eating hot food and then drinking ice water
  • Brittleness of teeth with a root canal- teeth with a root canal need a crown for protection against cracking.
How can you tell if a Tooth is cracked?
A cracked tooth may be sensitive to chewing, and to hot or cold foods or drinks. If a tooth is sensitive to chewing, it is necessary to see Dr. Jackson, because chewing pain is never normal.

How is a Cracked Tooth Treated?
Depending on the size and location of the crack, treatment may vary from a filling to a crown to hold the crack together. This may include endodontic treatment if the pulp is involved. A severely cracked tooth will need extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. Dr. Jackson will determine the best treatment for you.