Various factors lead to a fractured tooth. Some of these factors include trauma, grinding of the teeth, aged teeth and many more. In most cases, you may not experience severe symptoms when your tooth has been fractured. In some more severe cases, you may experience tooth temperature sensitivity, severe pain when chewing or you may even be able to feel the fracture with your tongue.

There are several methods that a dentist can implore to treat tooth fractures. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at tooth fracture symptoms and treatments. 

What Is Tooth Fracture?

A tooth fracture Is often referred to as Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS). A fracture is when there is any signs or feeling of a crack in the tooth. Sometimes these cracks on the tooth can be small and not harmful. However, in some cases, the cracks are large and even split the tooth into pieces. Although tooth fractures can happen to anyone, cases are mainly brought to by  elderly folks or small children. If you sense a feeling or sign that any of your teeth are broken, you should immediately enlist the services of a dental specialist for a filling. 

Types of Tooth Fracture

Whenever you visit a dental clinic for a checkup, one of the first things that the doctor will try to identify is the type of tooth fracture you have. Here are the types of tooth fractures that an individual may experience:

Craze Lines: Craze lines are little cracks and lines that show on the outer portion of a tooth. At an early stage, these craze lines are known to cause little to no pain. 

Split Tooth: This fracture begins on your tooth and extends Into the gum line. Once you experience this kind of fracture, there is every possibility that your tooth will split. 

Cracked Tooth: This type of fracture is when there is a crack from the top of your tooth to the gum line. It is quite similar to that of the split tooth, just that in most cases, the crack goes beyond the gum line into the root of your tooth.

Vertical Root Fracture: This fracture  is the opposite of a cracked tooth. The crack begins this time from the gum line and extends towards the tip of the tooth. This type of tooth fracture is easy to identify and when infected can cause severe pain. 

Fractured Cusp: This type of crack is often found in an area with a dental filling. These fractures are most common in adults and can be restored with a dental filling. 

Can A Fractured Tooth Heal By Itself?

There is no way a fractured tooth can heal by itself. The best way to heal your fractured tooth is by visiting a dental professional for treatment. It would be best to receive treatment as quickly as possible to avoid additional damage.

Symptoms Of A Cracked Tooth

The fact is fractured teeth don’t always have very visible symptoms. However, some of the common symptoms that might be a possible sign of a fractured tooth are as follows:

  • Tooth pain when chewing firm or soft foods
  • The surrounding of a tooth grows swollen
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold substances and temperatures
  • On and off again pain

How To Treat A Fractured Tooth

The kind of treatment needed for your fractured tooth will depend on the fracture type itself. Here are the commonly known treatments for a fractured tooth:

Crown Treatment: This procedure involves using a ceramic cap or porcelain to cover the cracked tooth. Crowns are used to cover, protect and restore the shape of a tooth when dental fillings are not an option.

Bonding Treatment: The bonding treatment procedure involves using dental composite resin for filling the fracture on the tooth.

Extraction Treatment: This treatment procedure involves the removal of the tooth completely. It is only necessary when much damage has been done to the nerve and root of the tooth. 

Veneer Treatment: Veneers are plastic or porcelain covering the front of the tooth. However, this treatment is best for people who still have their complete natural tooth left.

Cosmetic Contouring Treatment: This procedure involves the smoothening of the rough edges of the tooth. In the process, a cracked tooth is smoothed out.

Root Canal Treatment: A fractured tooth may affect the pulp of the tooth. In this treatment procedure the soft pulp is extracted to prevent the tooth from weakening. It is the best treatment method for situations where the fracture on the tooth extends through the gum line into the pulp.

You should know that in most cases, depending on the severity of the tooth condition, the dental expert might tell you not to repair the broken tooth. This recommendation from the dentist happens only when:

  • The fracture doesn’t cause you pain
  • The fracture doesn’t affect how you look
  • The fracture is minor and doesn’t extend far on the tooth

Can A Fractured Tooth Be Prevented?

There is no possibility that you can prevent all your teeth from being fractured; however, you can try as much as possible to reduce the risks of your tooth getting fractured. The following tips are great dental practices that will help you achieve this feat:

  • Try as much as possible not to chew on any form of hard food.
  • For those who play physical sports such as rugby, you can wear a mouthguard to help safeguard your tooth. Then If you are the kind of person that grinds your teeth a lot at night, you should also wear a mouthguard before you sleep at night.
  • Ensure you practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy always.
  • Make appointments to see your dentist regularly.

Final Thoughts

Although tooth fractures are most often unavoidable, it is vital to ensure that you keep your teeth safe to ensure that they don’t get fractured. It is also crucial to see a dentist immediately once you’re experiencing any sign and symptom of a fractured tooth. 

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