Repairing Chipped or Broken Teeth
How Do We Chip or Crack Our Teeth?
The hardest substance in the human body, tooth enamel nonetheless has structural limits. A chip or crack can result from a number of causes, including chewing hard candy or ice, excessive biting force, facial trauma, or nighttime teeth grinding. Teeth can also become more vulnerable to chipping and cracking when weakened by poor oral hygiene or cavities.
Superficial chips or cracks that remain confined to the enamel may produce no pain, since the underlying layers of the tooth are not exposed. When damage is limited to this outer layer, discomfort may only arise under specific conditions, such as applying firm biting pressure or experiencing a shift in oral temperature. Some cracks are too fine to be detected through visual inspection alone. Regular appointments with Dr. Donn allow for the identification of such issues before they progress to the point of causing pain.
What Types of Broken or Chipped Teeth Would Dr. Donn Recommend Fixing?
Craze lines are superficial fractures confined to the outer enamel layer of a tooth. They occur frequently in adults and are characterized by their minimal depth. Because they do not extend beyond the enamel surface, they are not associated with pain and pose no risk to dental health. While their appearance may be a cosmetic concern for some, they are considered harmless and no treatment is necessary.
When a cusp — one of the pointed projections on a tooth’s chewing surface — develops a crack, it may weaken to the point where it breaks away on its own or requires removal by a dental provider. Removal typically resolves the associated pain. Because this type of fracture rarely extends into the pulp, root canal treatment is generally not needed. Once the cusp has been addressed, restoring the tooth to its normal form often involves placing a crown.
When a tooth develops a crack, that fracture can travel from the biting surface downward into the root. The location of the crack determines whether the pulp sustains damage. In many such cases, root canal treatment is the recommended approach for addressing a cracked tooth.
When a crack in a tooth advances progressively over time, it can eventually result in the tooth dividing into two distinct segments. The severity of the split will determine whether Dr. Donn is able to preserve the tooth in its entirety. Based on where the crack is located and how far it extends, a decision will be made as to whether a portion of the tooth may be retained through placement of a crown or another restorative approach.
Vertical root fractures originate within the root of a tooth rather than the visible crown, which means the fracture line itself may not be detectable on examination. As a result, careful evaluation of a patient’s symptoms plays a central role in reaching a diagnosis. Among the various types of tooth fractures, vertical root fractures are considered particularly challenging to identify. Endodontic treatment is a common approach to addressing them. In some cases, a portion of the tooth can be preserved, though extraction is frequently necessary.
How to Prevent Cracking or Chipping
It is difficult to completely prevent damage to our teeth, but here are a few ideas that Dr. Donn suggests to keep it to a minimum:
- Don’t chew on ice, popcorn kernels, pens, hard candy, or other hard objects.
- Don’t clench or grind your teeth.
- If you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, speak with Dr. Donn about getting a retainer or mouthguard.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
If you would like a closer examination of your teeth, give us a call to schedule a consultation. Call us at 856-424-7477 or send us an email.