Cracks and Fractures
Cracks and fractures of teeth are becoming more and more frequent nowadays as people retain their natural teeth for much longer than in the past.
There are many different types of cracked teeth; management and prognosis depends on the type, position and extension of the crack or fracture.
When a crack or fracture reaches close to the tooth's pulp, it can lead to pulpal inflammation (pain to hot, cold, chewing) or even pulp necrosis and abscess formation. In that case a root canal treatment is required.
Following root canal, your dentist will try to prevent potential extension of the crack by getting the tooth fully covered with a crown (cap) which will hold the tooth together and increase its fracture resistance. Nevertheless, even after all this treatment, a crack may continue to propagate, resulting in eventual extraction of the tooth.
In more serious cases, a crack or fracture may extend to the tooth's root, splitting the tooth in half and rendering its restoration impossible. In these cases, extraction is the only treatment option.
The chance of crack or fracture of your teeth can be reduced by taking some useful preventive measures, such as:
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Quit any bad habits, such as biting hard objects (pencils, nuts, etc)
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Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth (in case of nocturnal bruxism, ask your dentist about the benefit of having a protective splint made)
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Always use a protective mouth guard if you are involved in sports or other activities where there is a risk of dental trauma.