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Imagine you’re biting into an apple and hear a tiny snap, or enjoying dinner and accidentally bite your fork. Your teeth can take hits when you least expect it, or become weakened over time without you even realizing there’s a problem. If you’re worried about a chipped or cracked tooth in Phoenix or Gilbert, our team at Dental Specialty Associates is here to help!
Chips, cracks, and fractures are far more common than you might think. They’re frequently harmless and easy to fix, but sometimes they signal a problem that needs prompt attention. In this post we’ll walk through why tooth damage happens, how you can tell if a crack is serious, and what your dentist can do to bring your smile back to health.
The Different Types of Tooth Damage
There are several different ways teeth can become injured or damaged. Some are superficial and just need a little cosmetic fix, but others can make your tooth unsalvageable. Let’s take a look at types of tooth injuries, in order from least to most serious, and how our expert prosthodontist can help fix it!
| Type of Damage | What Is It? | Symptoms | How We Can Fix It |
| Chipped Tooth | A small, superficial type of damage where a piece of enamel flakes away from the edge of a tooth. This frequently happens with the thin biting edges of the front teeth. | Typically not very painful, although your tooth may feel a little sore at first from the impact that caused the chip. Your tooth may feel jagged or rough. | Buffing the area smooth or adding dental bonding to restore the tooth’s natural shape |
| Craze Lines | Very shallow cracks that appear on the surface of a tooth but don’t significantly damage the tooth structure | Painless. | If craze lines are stained or visible, cosmetic corrections like bonding or veneers may help. |
| Cracked Teeth | A break in the tooth structure. May be shallow or very deep. May cause a large part of the tooth to fall off. | Depends on how deep the crack is. May cause tenderness when biting or chewing, sharp pain, or aching or throbbing if it reaches the pulp inside the tooth. | Depending on how severe the crack is, may be treatable with a filling, but usually need a dental crown to stabilize. Cracks that reach the pulp may need root canal therapy. |
| Root Fractures | Break below the gum line of a tooth | May cause severe pain, tooth sensitivity, or tenderness when chewing. | Depending on the position and angle of the crack, may be treatable with crown lengthening and a dental crown, but frequently cannot be repaired. |
| Split Tooth | A crack that goes through the tooth structure and splits it in two. | Usually intensely painful. | A split tooth will need to be removed and replaced with treatments like a dental bridge or dental implant. |
Why Do Chips and Cracks Happen?
There are many reasons a tooth may become chipped or cracked. Sometimes, this type of damage happens suddenly because of a traumatic injury. Frequently, cracks develop over time because of weakness or strain.
Here are some of the most common causes of cracked teeth:
- Biting Hard Foods
Apples, nuts, popcorn kernels, and hard candy can put a lot of pressure on a tooth. One bite can push a weak spot over the edge, causing a chip.
- Old Silver or Metal Fillings
Metal fillings expand a little when they get warm and shrink when they cool. Over years, this movement can stress the surrounding enamel, making it easier for a crack to start.
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Many people grind their teeth at night without realizing it. The constant grinding creates tiny fractures that grow bigger over time. If you wake up with sore jaws or a dull ache, grinding could be the culprit.
- Accidental Impacts
Sports injuries, a fall, or even a sudden bump against a door can deliver a jolt strong enough to chip or crack a tooth.
- Decay Weakening Tooth Structure
Cavities eat away at the tooth’s interior. A decayed tooth becomes fragile, and even normal chewing can cause it to break.
- Age-Related Wear
As we get older, enamel naturally thins. Thinner enamel means less protection for the inner dentin, making chips more likely.
No matter why your tooth cracked, our team can help. We offer emergency dentistry for cracked teeth in Phoenix and Gilbert, and a full range of treatments to keep your smile at full strength.
How Can You Tell If You Have a Cracked Tooth?
Cracked teeth may be incredibly painful or have no symptoms at all. Superficial chips may not need immediate attention from a dentist, but cracks usually do. The earlier you treat a crack, the more conservative (and predictable) your treatment will be. Here are some signs that you might have a cracked tooth:
- Sharp pain or tenderness when biting or chewing
- Temperature sensitivity in a single tooth
- Pain that comes and goes
- Tendency to only chew on one side
- Visible line or dark spot
- Swelling or other signs of an abscess
How Does a Dentist Diagnose a Cracked Tooth?
To determine if you have a cracked tooth, we’ll first perform a thorough visual examination. We’ll use an explorer to feel the tooth structure for any small catches that indicate areas that are cracked or weak.
While some cracks may appear on an X-ray, transillumination (shining a light through the tooth) can sometimes be more effective for seeing cracks.
A bite stick is also a very effective tool for detecting cracks that cause pain when you bite or chew. For this test, we’ll have you bite on the stick at different angles and tell us if you experience discomfort.
If we suspect the nerve of the tooth has been affected, we may also perform a “cold test” by putting a cold material on the tooth and observing how long sensitivity lasts.
How Can You Prevent Chipped or Cracked Teeth?
Like any dental issue, prevention is the best approach. Here are a few of the best ways to avoid cracked teeth:
- Wear a night guard
- Don’t use your teeth as tools
- Avoid biting on hard foods like chewing ice or popcorn kernels
- Get old fillings replaced when necessary
- Stay on top of dental visits so we can address cracks when they first appear!
Our Team at Dental Specialty Associates Is Here to Keep Your Smile Strong!
Your smile is worth protecting. If you notice any of the signs we discussed, like sharp pain when chewing, lingering sensitivity, a visible line, or a sudden chip, don’t wait. Get in touch with Dental Specialty Associates of Arizona about cracked teeth treatments in Phoenix and Gilbert. We’ll examine your tooth, determine the exact cause, and recommend the best treatment to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Remember, a small chip today can become a big problem tomorrow, but catching it early makes the fix simple and inexpensive. Let’s work together to keep your teeth whole, your mouth comfortable, and your confidence high.
