Healthy teeth are incredibly strong, and the enamel that protects them is the most resilient substance your body produces. Nevertheless, undue pressure or accidental trauma can still wear down or crack a tooth, and when that happens, repairing it is a time-sensitive process. As you continue to bite and chew, the crack will grow worse until you fix it. To stop a tooth crack from growing worse, Dr. James Fondriest will carefully examine the tooth to diagnose the nature and extent of the damage. Then, he’ll work with you to choose the most appropriate custom restoration.

Best Answer: Hairline cracks in front teeth are not that uncommon. If they are no deeper than the enamel then nothing needs to be done unless it is a cosmetic concern. If it runs into the second layer of tooth then a filling or bonding may need to be done. If the crack is into the nerve area of the tooth then much more extensive work. These vertical lines in her front teeth are actually known as craze lines. Over years of use, our teeth tend to develop tiny cracks in the hard outer layer known as enamel. These cracks normally don’t cause any pain, but can easily stain, causing embarrassing discolored lines on your front teeth. What Causes Craze.

The Nature of Tooth Damage

In addition to trauma, your tooth can become damaged for a number of reasons. Some of them include:

• Excessive pressure from bruxism, or teeth grinding
• Large fillings, which can compromise the strength and integrity of a tooth
• Chewing foods that are too hard, such as nuts, ice, or hard candy
• Sudden temperature changes, like eating something hot and then drinking cold water
• Age (Hairline cracks in teeth are more common in people over 50.)

The nature of your tooth’s crack can help determine how you treat it and prevent it from happening again. For instance, if your tooth cracked because of an issue like bruxism, then treatment will likely involve addressing the condition so that your tooth’s restoration doesn’t become damaged, as well.

What a Tooth Crack Exposes

The main body of your tooth’s crown, called dentin, makes up the majority of your tooth’s structure. At the center of the dentin is chamber called the pulp, which contains your tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and other vital tissues. When a tooth’s dentin is cracked or broken, the pulp may be exposed, which places your tooth at an immediate risk of internal infection. Before restoring the crack, your dentist will ensure that the restoration doesn’t trap an infection inside of your tooth by performing root canal treatment first.

Are there symptoms?

Oftentimes, there are no noticeable symptoms of a cracked tooth – especially if it’s just a hairline fracture. However, if the condition worsens, patients may develop:

Hairline Cracked Front Tooth

• Sensitivity to sweets, heat, or cold
• Discomfort when biting or chewing – especially when the bite is released
• Pain that waxes and wanes, but is not continuous
• Swelling and inflammation around the affected tooth

Can hairline cracks in teeth worsen?

At first glance, hairline cracks in teeth seem superficial – and many of them are. However, it is possible for the condition to worsen over time. The best way to assess your risk is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fondriest.

If you have hairline cracks in your teeth, they could develop into:

• Fractured cusps: This type of crack generally develops around a dental filling. Because it doesn’t usually extend to the pulp of the tooth, there is little to no pain.
• Larger cracks that extend into the gum line: Hairline cracks in teeth can progress and extend toward the gum line. Fractures that have already reached beyond the gum line may require extraction. However, timely treatment can help save the tooth.
• Split teeth: When a fracture runs from the chewing surface all the way into the gum line, the affected tooth can often be separated into two segments. It’s unlikely that the tooth can be saved at this point, although Dr. Fondriest may be able to preserve a portion of it.

Diagnosing a Cracked Tooth

During a consultation at our Chicago practice, Dr. Fondriest can perform a number of assessments. These can help determine the cause and severity of the cracked tooth. For example, he may:

• Review your dental history with you: If you suffer from bruxism, it’s important to know that. Teeth grinding is one of the most common causes of hairline fractures. If you habitually chew on ice or non-food objects, such as pens or pencils, be sure to mention it at your consultation.
• Perform a visual assessment: One of the first things Dr. Fondriest will do is visually check the affected tooth. He may use a special magnifying lens to see tiny fractures.
• Take x-rays: To better diagnose the problem, we will take x-rays. It’s important to note that x-rays do not always show cracks. However, they can reveal certain pathologies (such as infection) that can point to a fracture.
• Use a dental dye: Special dental dye (usually dark blue or purple) can be applied to the tooth. This can help any existing fractures stand out.
• Have you bite down on something: We may ask you to bite down on a tongue depressor and then release the bite. Oftentimes, this will cause some discomfort if a crack is present.

How can I stop a fracture from getting worse?

Because tooth cracks can range from mild to severe, treatments can range from cosmetic to complex, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Here are just a few of the treatment options available:

• Dental bonding: Hairline cracks in teeth may be corrected with a minimally invasive cosmetic touchup, such as tooth bonding. This procedure involves the application of tooth-colored composite resin. This conceals any fractures and reinforces the tooth.
• Porcelain veneers: If bonding isn’t an option, veneers can be placed to mask hairline fractures and improve the smile. This involves bonding custom porcelain shells to the front surfaces of the teeth.
• Crowns: More severe damage can require that the tooth be completely restored with a lifelike dental crown, which can be placed over the tooth to hold it together and stop the crack from growing.

Hairline Crack Front Tooth

In some cases, a fracture may be too risky to repair. For example, if a tooth cannot be restored with some degree of predictability, Dr. Fondriest may recommend an extraction. In the event that a tooth needs to be removed, it can be replaced with a dental implant. We can discuss all treatment options with you during your appointment.

If you’ve noticed hairline cracks in your teeth

Hairline cracks in teeth can grow worse the longer you leave them untreated. To learn more about how to prevent this problem and save your tooth, schedule a consultation. To learn how to address all smile problems, call our office at 847-234-0517. In addition to the metropolitan Chicago area, we also proudly serve residents of the North Shore and Northwest suburbs.

Hairline tooth fractures can appear more intense than the name itself. Although the name only suggests hairline, the pain you will be experiencing can bring tears to your eyes. But how to know if the origin of the pain you are experiencing is from a tooth fracture or some other reasons. In this article, the indicative points are suggested by the Shawnessy Dental experts will help you access the severity of your problem.

Also, you will be able to understand your pain better, and that will, in turn, help you in the management of the pain successfully, thus, bringing you relief.

What happens in a Tooth fracture?

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A tooth fracture is a small crack in your tooth that leads to immense pain whenever you bite down on something.

All of a sudden, you will experience a sharp pain that goes away as suddenly as it arrives. If you can relate to similar issues, chances are you are suffering from a tooth fracture as well. A hairline tooth fracture is a common problem which, when not taken care of, can lead to tooth loss as well. Therefore, it is essential to get yourself examined whenever you experience a dental issue.

Reason for a fractured tooth

The common factors that can cause the fracture in your teeth are often the simplest that we ignore in our routine life. Such factors are:-

• Old age over 50 years
• Sudden exposure to extreme temperatures like drinking hot and cold beverages consecutively
• Biting on hard candy or a piece of ice
• Any form of trauma, fall or blow to the mouth
• The pressure generated due to the grinding of teeth and clenching of teeth
• Fillings that are not fit for the tooth and weakens the integrity of the tooth

Common symptoms of a fractured tooth:

Hairline Crack In Front Tooth Pain

A fractured tooth can appear symptom less at times, and thus, you may not realize the problem. However, in other cases the pain may represent as follows:-

• The frequent sharp intensity of pain that comes and goes suddenly
• Pain that appears on biting and chewing and increases as soon as you release a bite
• Inflammation of gums around the tooth
• Inability to consume something sweet, sour and extreme temperature beverages due to sensitivity

The reason for the pain is in the biting patterns. Every time you bite on something, the crack in your tooth is split open, and the tooth pulp gets released form the same. Whenever you stop the chewing and release the bite, the crack closes up suddenly and results in another sharp stabbing pain. Although the crack is minuscule, the pulp that is released is sensitive and is likely to get infected if not taken care of.

How To Fix Hairline Crack In Front Tooth

Hairline tooth fracture appear so minor that you often will not be able to see it on your own. The confirmation of the test can only be done by a thorough examination performed by the dentist. He might also advise some diagnostic tests like X-rays, an intensive oral examination by probing, and dental dyes as well. By pinpointing in a specific location, you can help a dentist determine the exact origin of the pain. Thus, helping him examining your oral cavity in a better way.

Treatment for a fractured tooth:

Once it has been confirmed that your tooth has been fractured, a dentist will advise you several procedures such as Bonding, Root canal, and Crowning. If the pain is unbearable and the nerves are severely damaged, a dentist may have to perform a tooth canal as a last resort.

How To Fix Hairline Cracks In Front Teeth

However, it is the least likely outcome. Having said that, you will need to make an appointment with your dentist if you are experiencing a similar problem. Call your dental expert at the earliest to get some relief from that pain and better prognosis of your issue.