Once you have cracked tooth syndrome, are you going to inevitably get more cracks? i've been told i have cracked tooth syndrome and several small cracks in one of my molars. i'm not sure what causes it, but i'm worried that once it's started i will just w

Cracked : Cracked tooth syndrome is a situation where there is a crack in the tooth, the tooth can hurt when you bite on it or when there is a thermal stimulus, but your dentist can't really pinpoint a problem. Usually when a patient has pain on a tooth, we attribute it to a specific factor like a cavity, a broken filling, a dead nerve, etc. We address that specific cause. When we cannot determine the actual cause, we sometimes attribute it to a crack. The crack can be caused by grinding, wear and tear, or just that one time that you bite the wrong way at the wrong time. For that one molar you asked about, it depends on how deep the cracks go and what direction they take. Cracks that stop above the gumline can be treated whereas cracks that go below the gumline often require extraction of the tooth. Difficult to advise you on what exactly your situation is. How did your dentist propose to treat your tooth? You did not say. Just leaving it will allow the crack to get worse. If there are multiple cracks, then you may need a crown on it. Regarding the rest of your teeth, if you are a bruxer, then an occlusal guard that snaps over your teeth will help, as well as an analysis of your bite. Smoothing down sharp points will take away those cusps that may be causing the problem. Hope this info helps.

Cracked : Cracked tooth syndrome (cts) involves a crack in the tooth portion that is above the gum line. 90 % of cts is fixed with a simple crown. It keeps the cracked part of the tooth above the gum line from moving & all the symptoms from being stimulating. The other 10% need root canal as well because the crack has reached the root canal system. If the crack is one of the above (described as favorable) this is a complete cure. If the tooth is cracked further below the gum, involving a fracture (or crack) of the root, the tooth will need to be extracted. Your dentist will know because there will be a space in the attachment of the tooth to the bone, just in the location of the crack. Xray evidences this type of crack, whereas cts is not discernable on xray exam.

Having : Having a cracked tooth is a problem, it hurts, and it can get worse. Teeth can crack because of the pressure of the bite, from biting down with force on a hard object or by having a filling that undermines the integrity of the structure of the tooth or expands and contracts so that it puts excessive force on the remaining structure and causes it to fracture. Which ever it is you got it. If the fracture is through the enamel and dentine but not through the pulp, the fracture system can be cut out and the tooth restored with an onlay or crown and you might be free from further complications. If that crack goes into the nerve, you will need root canal therapy and a post and crown. If the crack goes down the root of the tooth you are best advised to remove the tootha nd replace it with an implant or bridge ( i prefer the implant option) you should have your dentist carefully evaluate the way your teeth come together and see whether or not there is a clenching or interference that predisposes you toi putting excessive force on your teeth. Dr neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.