Cracked or Chipped Teeth – Causes and Treatments

What Causes Teeth to Chip or Crack?

A sudden, sharp pain or a rough edge in your mouth can signal a cracked or chipped tooth. The good news is that it can be effectively repaired.

Tooth damage can happen for several reasons:

• Trauma: This is the most obvious cause. Direct impact from a fall, a sporting injury, or an accident can easily result in a chip or a significant crack.
• Chewing Hard Objects: Chewing on non-food items like pen caps or ice, or biting down hard on something like unpopped kernels of popcorn, can exert pressure that fractures a tooth.
• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Long-term, habitual grinding and clenching of the teeth, often while sleeping, puts immense and constant stress on the enamel, leading to hairline cracks or chips over time.
• Large Fillings: Teeth with very large metal fillings can become weakened over time. The metal doesn’t flex like natural tooth structure, leaving the remaining tooth walls susceptible to cracking.
• Age: Teeth naturally become more brittle as we age, increasing the risk of cracks, especially after the age of 50.

Understanding the Types of Cracks

Not all cracks are the same, and the treatment depends entirely on the severity:

• Craze Lines: These are tiny, vertical cracks that affect only the outer enamel. They are common, usually painless, and rarely require treatment beyond observation.
• Chipped Tooth: This is often a minor fracture where a small piece of enamel breaks off. It may feel rough but usually only causes sensitivity if the chip is deep.
• Fractured Cusp: The cusp is the pointed chewing surface of the tooth. When a cusp fractures, it can usually be repaired with a new filling or a dental crown.
• Cracked Tooth: A crack running from the chewing surface vertically toward the root. This is the most serious type, as the crack can deepen and open up the inner pulp, causing significant pain and requiring a more complex treatment like a root canal or a crown.
• Split Tooth: This is often the result of a long-standing cracked tooth that has separated into two pieces. If the split extends below the gum line, the tooth may not be savable and may require extraction.

Effective Treatment Options

If you experience pain or notice a chip, contact Herald Avenue Dental Centre immediately. Fast action can often save the tooth. Our treatment recommendations will depend on the diagnosis:

1. Dental Bonding: For minor chips, we can use a tooth-coloured resin to rebuild the shape of the tooth. This is a fast, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing solution.
2. Dental Veneers: If the damage is more extensive on a front tooth, a porcelain veneer can cover the entire front surface to restore its appearance and strength.
3. Crowns: For larger cracks or fractured cusps, a custom-fitted dental crown is used. The crown caps the entire tooth, holding the remaining structure together and preventing the crack from spreading further.
4. Root Canal Treatment: If the crack extends into the pulp, bacteria can infect the nerve tissue. A root canal is necessary to clean out the infection and save the tooth, which is then usually protected with a crown.
5. Extraction: In cases where the crack or split has extended too far below the gum line to be repaired, the tooth must be extracted to prevent widespread infection. We can then discuss tooth replacement options like dental implants.

Herald Avenue Dental Centre in Willetton

Protecting your teeth during sports with a custom mouthguard and wearing a splint if you grind your teeth are the best ways to prevent future chips and cracks. If you are experiencing pain or have noticed any cracked or chipped teeth, please contact our Willetton clinic today or book your appointment online.