The Answer: Maybe
While high magnified cracks/fractures are seen in nearly all teeth, some cracks/fractures are worse than others. Some hairline tooth fractures can have no symptoms and no pain associated with them while others are completely opposite. Here are some symptoms you may experience if you have cracks in your teeth:
- If you are experiencing intermittent pain
- Pain when chewing and/or biting
- Teeth sensitivity to sweetness, hot or cold foods/liquids
- Swollen gums around a tooth
Why Does a Cracked Tooth Hurt?
A cracked tooth hurts when you bite down because the pressure splits the tooth open and may expose the sensitive pulp inside the tooth that leads to pain. However, when you stop biting, you may experience sharp pain initially but then no to little pain after that. When you stop biting, the pressure is released and the crack quickly closes back up. If you are experiencing pain while chewing or biting, you need to see your dentist right away before the pain gets worse. This is important because if you are unknowingly exposing your tooth’s pulp, it can become infected or damaged and may result in a root canal or extraction.
Potential Solutions for Cracked Teeth
- Bonding: During bonding, your dentist will use a plastic filling to repair the crack in your tooth.
- Crown: A crown fully covers the tooth and protects the tooth crack/fracture.
- Root Canal: If the crack extends into the pulp, a root canal can remove the damaged pulp and restore integrity to the tooth.
- Extraction: In severe cases, if the tooth is extremely damaged, infected or is leading down that path a tooth extraction may be necessary to remove the tooth all together.
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ConsultSimilar Questions
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