Hairline Tooth Fractures and Cracks

Have you ever taken a bite of something and felt a quick sharp pain which then went away? You could have a hairline fracture or a cracked tooth. There are a variety of types of fractures and ways they can happen. Read on to learn more and determine how you can treat them.

Our Blog: Dental InsightsTable of Contents

• What Are Hairline Fractures?

• How Do You Get Hairline Tooth Fractures?

• Symptoms

• Diagnosis

• Repairing a Fractured Tooth

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Contact Us for Dental Care

What Are Hairline Fractures?

A hairline fracture is a small crack that appears in your tooth. They are quite common and have varying degrees of severity. There are four common types of fracture:

• Craze Line– These are very thin cracks in your enamel. They don’t cause any painand often don’t require any treatment.

• Vertical Crack– These cracks run up and down your tooth. If the crack doesn’t reach the gum line, the toothis likely able to be saved. It is when the crack extends to the gum that you may need to have the toothextracted.

• Split Tooth– This crack has completely separated your toothinto two or more segments. If the crack is substantial, it’s usually difficult to save the tooth.

• Fractured Cusp– This type of crack tends to happen around fillings. They don’t usually reach the toothpulp, so they often don’t cause much pain, if any.

How Do You Get Hairline ToothFractures?

There are a variety of ways that hairline toothfractures occur. The most common include:

• A mouthinjury.

• Age. Older individuals experience cracked teeth more often than younger people.

• Chewing something hard like candy or ice.

• Rapid temperature changes in your mouth, like eating ice cream and then drinking a coffee.

• The pressure from clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth.

Symptoms of ToothFractures

Not every type of toothfracture will have symptoms. The common ones you may experience are painwhen you chew, sensitivity to temperature and sweetness, and swollen gumsaround the sore tooth.

Common symptoms include:

• Painwhen chewing or biting

• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

• Sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks

• Swelling of the gumsaround the affected tooth

• A sharp edge or rough spot on the tooth

Diagnosing ToothFractures

A hairline fracture can be hard to detect because they are very difficult to see. Because of this, there are several different methods your dentist may try to identify a fracture:

• A visual examination using a magnifying lens.

• A physical examinationusing dental tools.

• Probing your gumsto locate the area of irritation.

• Using a dental dye on your teeth to highlight any cracks.

• An x-ray to show where the pulp is not as healthy, indicating there may be a crack.

Additional diagnostic methods may include:

• Bite-wing X-rays to detect cracks between teeth.

• Transillumination, where a bright light is shone through the toothto reveal cracks.

• Using a dental explorer to feel for irregularities on the toothsurface.

Repairing a Fractured Tooth

Repairing a Fractured Tooth

How your dentist chooses to fix the fracture is dependent on factors like the size, where it’s located, and if it extends higher into your gum line. These are a few methods used to repair fractures:

• Bonding– The crack is filled in with resin.

• Crown– A ceramic or porcelain prosthetic is put over the damaged toothand acts as a cap.

• RootCanal– If the crack is deep and extends to the pulp, aroot canalwill remove the pulp and eliminate the pain.

• Extraction– If the toothis badly damaged, your dentist may suggest removing it.

Other potential treatments include:

• Dental Veneers:Thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that cover the front surface of the tooth, often used for craze lines or minor chips.

• Inlays and Onlays:Custom-made fillings that fit into the prepared cavity of a tooth, used for larger cracks or decay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my 5-year-old is crying with cheek pain?

If your child is experiencing cheek pain, it could be related to a toothache, a cracked tooth, or even an infection. It’s important to schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Avoid giving them over-the-counter painrelievers without consulting a dentist or doctor, especially for young children.

My 4-year-old has mouthpainand is crying. What could be the cause?

Mouthpainin toddlers can stem from various issues, including teething, mouthsores (like canker sores or hand, foot, and mouthdisease), a chipped or cracked tooth, or even an ear infection that is perceived as mouthpain. A dental examination is crucial to identify the source of the painand ensure proper care.

What are common causes of toddler mouthpain?

Common causes of mouthpainin toddlers include teething, accidental injuries to the mouth, infections (bacterial or viral), tooth decay, and sensitivity to certain foods or drinks. If the painis persistent or severe, a dental professional should be consulted.

Can a hairline toothfracture cause cheek pain?

Yes, a hairline toothfracture can sometimes leadto referred painthat is felt in the cheek or jaw area, especially if the fracture is significant or has caused inflammation.

How can I prevent my child from getting cracked teeth?

Preventative measures include ensuring your child wears a mouthguardduring sports, discouraging chewing on hard objects like ice or pens, and maintaining good oral hygieneto prevent decay, which can weaken teeth.

Don’t Let ToothPainLinger – Get Expert Care Today!

If you or your child are experiencing any discomfort from a cracked toothor persistent mouthpain, seeking professional dental help is essential. Our experienced team is here to provide diagnosis and effective treatment options to restore your smile and relieve your pain.

Schedule Your Appointment Now

AtFamily Dental Care Clinic, we do our best to make sure that all of our clients have healthy, bright smiles. If you’re experiencing painfrom a cracked or fractured tooth, it’s best to get in to visit your dentist as soon as possible. This way, you can avoid the problem becoming worse. Along with repairing the crack, our team can provide you with great advice for ensuring your teeth and gumsstay healthy.

For more informationor to schedule an appointment with us, please fill out our onlinecontact formor call us at 343-312-9894.