Fractured Tooth

The Symptoms of Fractured Teeth

It is not easy to diagnose a fractured tooth. Certainly, you will know something is wrong if you have a fractured tooth, and it is imperative for your oral health that you seek professional help if you suspect a fractured tooth.

What are the symptoms of a fractured tooth? They include:

  • Sharp tooth pain when chewing or biting
  • Sharp tooth pain when breathing
  • Sharp tooth pan when exposed to hot or cold temperatures

If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a cracked tooth. It is a fairly common condition and can be caused by any number of factors including injury – either from trauma or simply by biting down on something too hard (i.e. ice, candy) – grinding your teeth, brittle teeth, uneven pressure on a tooth, or underlying or unknown decay.

There are several types of cracks and BGW dentists will treat you in either our Gainesville or Braselton locations based on your specific problem.

Craze lines – Solely an aesthetic concern, these are small cracks that only affect the outer layer of your tooth’s enamel. Common in adults, craze lines do not typically cause pain.

Cracked tooth – This type of crack, if diagnosed early enough, often allows dentists to save the tooth via root canal. However, the further it progresses, the more likely you are to lose the tooth. A cracked tooth entails a crack that occurs from the exterior surface and extends vertically down towards the tooth’s root.

Split tooth – Dependent upon the extent and position, a dentist may be able to save your tooth even if it is split. A split is often the result of an untreated cracked tooth.

Fractured cusp – This can usually be treated with a filling or full coverage crown. A fractured cusp occurs when a portion of the crown’s surface breaks off, generally surrounding a filling. It does not typically cause pain.

Vertical root fracture – Treatment for this may include extraction. These cracks begin at the tooth’s root and progresses towards the exterior surface. It presents minimal symptoms, as the crack is not visible and may only be discovered via dental examination or when the surrounding bone or gum becomes infected.

If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, please call our offices in north Georgia right away and schedule an appointment for a full exam – 678-582-8099.

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