How to treat cracked teeth

Hidden cracks in teeth are also called micro-cracks or incomplete cracks. They refer to some small cracks on the surface of the crown. Don't underestimate these small cracks. They are an important cause of toothache. They often cause the inclination of the teeth to increase and the trauma to increase. If such symptoms occur, timely treatment should be sought. Try not to eat hard food in daily life.

treat

1. Superficial cracks without obvious symptoms and with normal pulp vitality can be treated to reduce the lateral splitting force. Prevent cracks from deepening; you can also prepare a cavity, grind off the cracks as much as possible, and then do preventive filling.

2. For those with deeper cracks or existing pulp lesions, the cusp bevel should be adjusted extensively during pulp treatment to completely remove the fracture-causing force on the affected tooth and the tooth should be restored with a full crown in a timely manner after treatment. During the treatment of endodontic disease, surface perforation causes the crack's ability to withstand force to be greatly reduced. Even though the bite is lowered during treatment, it is very easy for the tooth to split from the crack due to chewing and other reasons. Therefore, at the beginning of endodontic treatment, a ring can be bonded to protect the crown, and a full crown restoration should be performed after the endodontic treatment is completed.

Causes

1. The weak links in the tooth structure are susceptible factors for the occurrence of tooth cracks. These weak links not only have low crack resistance, but are also the areas where stress is concentrated when the teeth are subjected to normal forces.

2. The larger the incline of the tooth tip, the greater the horizontal force generated, and the greater the chance of hidden cracks occurring.

3. Traumatic force: When pathological wear causes high and steep tooth cusps, the inclination of the tooth cusps also increases significantly. The horizontal component of force generated during normal occlusion also increases, forming a traumatic force that causes the enamel plate at the bottom of the pit and fissure to deepen and widen toward the dentin. This is the beginning of hidden cracks. Under the continued action of force, the crack gradually deepens towards the pulp. Traumatic force is the cause of tooth cracks.

It often occurs in bicuspids and molars, and is most common in the maxillary first molars. Careful observation may reveal light black or dark brown crack lines that may run across the tooth surface or may only be seen near the edge. There is often pain when biting a cotton swab at the fissure site. Cracks can be made clearer using tincture of iodine or gentian violet. Cold testing is more sensitive at hidden cracks.