Cracked teeth

A cracked tooth is a tooth that has developed a break or fracture. Cracks can be very small and harmless, or more serious and painful.

Some cracks are easy to miss, but early treatment can make a big difference.

Are there different types of cracked teeth?

Yes. Teeth can crack in several ways.

• Cracked tooth: A crack starts on the biting surface and travels down towards the root. Sometimes it goes below the gumline.

• Craze lines: Tiny surface cracks in the enamel. They are common, painless, and do not need treatment.

• Cracked cusp: Affects the pointed part of a back tooth. This area can break away and may cause pain when biting.

• Split tooth: Often the result of an untreated crack. Over time, the crack spreads and the tooth splits into separate pieces.

Why do teeth crack?

Teeth can crack for many reasons. Common causes include:

• Grinding or clenching your teeth.
• Large fillings that weaken the tooth.
• Biting down on hard foods such as ice, fruit stones, bones or hard sweets.
• Sudden knocks or injuries to the jaw.
• Gum disease, which can weaken bone support.
• Sudden changes in temperature, such as hot food followed by something cold.

Do cracks show up on X-rays?

Often, cracks do not show on standard X-rays.

This is because the crack has to line up perfectly with the X-ray beam to be seen.

However, if a crack has been there for some time, X-rays may show:

• Bone loss around the root.

To help find a crack, your dentist may:

• Use a bright light or special dye.
• Recommend a detailed 3D scan.

Can a cracked tooth be fixed?

Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth cannot heal itself.

Treatment depends on:

• How deep the crack is.
• Whether it has reached the nerve or root.

Possible treatments include:

• Bonding: A tooth-coloured resin may be used to seal the crack and restore the tooth shape.
• Smoothing or contouring: For very small cracks, the surface may be gently smoothed and polished.
• Veneers: If there is enough healthy tooth left, a porcelain veneer can be bonded to the front surface to strengthen it.
• Crowns: Larger cracks often need a crown. A crown covers the whole tooth and holds it together.

If the nerve is affected, root canal treatment may be needed first.

In some cases, if the crack goes deep into the root, the tooth may need to be removed.

What should I do if I think I have a cracked tooth?

See your dental team as soon as possible.

Signs to watch for include:

• Pain when biting or chewing.
• Sensitivity to hot or cold.
• Pain that comes and goes.

Early treatment can help prevent the crack from getting worse.

Need advice?

If you think you may have a cracked tooth, speak to your dental team.
They can examine your teeth and recommend the right treatment for you.

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