Cracked Tooth Syndrome

We are dedicated to helping our patients achieve the dental health and winning smile they deserve. We firmly believe that prevention and early detection are better than cure, so we encourage our patients to go for regular check-ups to increase the chances of detecting potential problems such as Cracked Tooth Syndrome.

What is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Cracked Tooth Syndrome is when a tooth has a crack that is too small to be detected in an x-ray or under the gum, which makes it difficult to identify. It is more common in molars as these are the teeth that take the brunt of chewing.

How can I get Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Cracking a tooth can happen in the blink of an eye or over a period of time. Potential causes include:

• Chewing on hard foods such as candy, nuts, or ice
• Daily wear and tear
• Injury to the mouth
• Teeth grinding
• Large cavities or fillings
• Previous root canal therapy

What are the symptoms?

Aside from being challenging to detect, Cracked Tooth Syndrome exhibits symptoms that come and go, making it one of the most difficult dental issues to diagnose. Some of these are:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold drinks
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Pain that is not constant
• Gum infection

What can be done about it?

Because the symptoms come and go, it will be useful to note when these occur so that you can relay this information to our dedicated team, who may then recommend:

• A filling to repair the tooth
• A crown to protect the tooth
• Root canal therapy if the pulp is damaged
• An occlusal splint to reduce wear and tear caused by teeth grinding
• Tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved

Treatment will depend on a few factors such as the location of the crack, how deep it is, and how large it is. We take a “no surprises” approach and our trustworthy team will always give you clear explanations about your options before drawing up a treatment plan suited to your unique needs.