Cracked (Fractured) Tooth Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Cracked (Fractured) Tooth Overview A cracked tooth is associated with tooth damage caused by an external force; this damage causes a small fracture or crack on the tooth. While sometimes, the crack is and does not affect the function of the tooth, on other occasions, the tooth may split or break into pieces. A severely cracked tooth represents a dental emergency.While any tooth is susceptible to cracking, often, the upper front teeth and those at the back of the lower jaw (mandibular molars) are most prone to fracture. Another clinical term for cracked tooth is ‘cracked tooth syndrome’ (CTS). Causes and risk factors Teeth cracking is commonly attributed to one or more of the following causes:Age: With ageing, teeth are often worn out; this is associated with a higher risk of tooth cracking. The incidence of tooth fracture is higher among subjects aged 50 years or above than among younger people.Dental trauma: Blows to the mouth (for example, during a vehicular accident or fall) could cause tooth cracking.Biting hard foods: Biting on hard food items, such as candy, popcorn kernels, certain fruits, or ice, can cause tooth cracks.Dental treatments: Dental procedures, such as a root canal or a large dental filling, especially when a dental crown is not placed, may weaken the teeth, increasing the chances of developing tooth cracks.Bruxism (teeth grinding): Psychological stress and other mental issues may result in tooth grinding, which, over time, increases the chances of tooth cracking. Symptoms Tooth fracture is not always associated with the development of symptoms; however, when symptoms, are indeed caused, they include:Sharp toothache associated with chewing or biting.Heightened sensitivity to temperature changes or sweet food.Inflammation in areas surrounding the tooth.If left untreated, infections (tooth abscesses), which may cause serious health issues, can develop. Diagnosis To diagnose a fractured tooth, a dentist may perform the following steps:History taking: A complete, comprehensive medical history, including details regarding possible causes/exposure to risk factors and symptoms, is collected.Oral examination: The following steps may be performed by the dentists:Checking for pain by requesting the patient to bite down on a stick.Checking the tooth for signs of damage, such as cracks/fractures using a periodontal probe.Examination of the gums for detecting inflammation (vertical fractures may cause gum irritation).Transillumination: Passing light through the tooth to illuminate and visualise the crack.Staining: Administration of a staining dye on the tooth for a clear view of the tooth crack.Dental X-ray: X-ray imaging is performed to detect and view fractures and related issues (bone malformations or bone loss).A 3D scanning technique called cone beam computed tomography, which can pinpoint bone loss that may be indicative of a fracture, may also be performed.If the patients experience any of the aforementioned symptoms or suspect that they have a cracked tooth, they are advised to schedule a dental appointment. Treatment A cracked tooth cannot heal by itself. The extent and severity of the fracture determine the course of treatment. Treatment may not be required for mild cracks, which do not cause infection or pain. The repair may take weeks to months depending on the treatment. Common methods for treating cracked teeth include: Dental bonding: The cracks are filled with tooth-coloured composite resin.Dental contouring: The rough edges may be smoothened out and polished after ascertaining the areas where the affected tooth makes excessive contact with the opposite teeth.Dental crown: A ceramic/porcelain/resin-based cap is fitted over the cracked tooth.Dental veneers: Custom-made porcelain or plastic shells are fitted, usually permanently, over the front surface of the tooth.Root canal treatment: For cases in which tooth cracks extend into the dental pulp and thus, cause infection, a root canal treatment may be performed for the removal of the infected pulp tissues.Tooth extraction: For cases in which tooth cracks severely damage the root and nerves, causing pain and sensitivity, tooth removal is recommended; afterwards, the application of a dental bridge or implant as a replacement for the extracted tooth is often performed.With timely diagnosis and treatment, repaired teeth last over the long-term, i.e., a few years, without causing any other complications. However, in some cases, even after treatment, tooth cracks may split or widen, resulting in tooth loss.