Cracked teeth

A cracked tooth is a tooth that has a small break in it. This can happen if you’re hit in the mouth, bite something hard or grind your teeth. If you think you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to see a dentist so they can stop it from getting any worse.

About cracked teeth

A cracked tooth might also be called a chipped, broken or fractured tooth. It can happen to any of your teeth. But it’s most common around your top front teeth, or the ones at the bottom of your mouth towards the back (your molars). You might have:

• one thin crack on the surface of your tooth
• multiple smaller cracks
• a crack that runs deep inside your tooth
• one that completely splits your tooth in two

Causes of cracked teeth

There are lots of things that can cause a crack or break in your teeth, such as:

• a sports injury
• a vehicle accident
• falling
• grinding your teeth at night or when you’re stressed (Bruxism)
• biting something hard, like boiled sweets or fruit stones
• dental treatments that weaken your teeth, like a large filling
• sudden changes in mouth temperature, like eating something piping hot and then ice cold

Symptoms of cracked teeth

A broken tooth doesn’t always cause symptoms. But if it does, you might have:

• pain when you bite or chew, especially when you release the pressure
• sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food and drinks
• swelling around your gums

You might also be able to see a crack on the surface of your tooth. If so, a cracked tooth could look like a straight thin line. Some injuries are obvious, whilst others are barely visible.

Self-help for cracked teeth

If your cracked tooth is very painful, there are a few things you can try  to ease the pain until you see a dentist.

• Hold an ice pack, wrapped in a towel, onto the area.
• Take over-the counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Eat soft foods like smoothies or custard to avoid biting down
• Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks

When to seek help

If you think you have a broken tooth, see a dentist as soon as possible, even if it doesn’t seem that bad. If left untreated, it could get worse, cause an infection or damage the nerve inside your tooth. In some cases, you could end up needing to have your tooth removed completely.

Diagnosis of cracked teeth

Your dentist will ask you about your symptoms and do a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. They’ll look for any signs of a crack and might use a magnifying glass to get a better look.

Your dentist might also:

• Ask you to bite down on something, to see where the pain is coming from.
• Run a small tool called a dental explorer over your teeth to see if it catches on a crack.
• Apply a dye to your teeth to help show up any cracks.
• Shine a light through your teeth, to reveal a possible crack.
• Take an x-ray of your teeth. While this won’t usually reveal the crack itself, it can highlight any problems inside your tooth that are related to a cracked tooth.

How do you fix a cracked tooth?

There are lots of things your dentist can do to treat a cracked tooth. The type of treatment you’ll need will depend on how bad the crack is and where it is in your mouth. Chipped tooth repair options could include the following.

Composite bonding

In this procedure, your dentist fills in the crack with a plastic resin that’s as close to the colour of your tooth as possible. The resin is then hardened with a special light which bonds it to your tooth. Unlike crowns or veneers, composite bonding  often doesn’t require any of the healthy parts of your tooth to be removed, and can usually be done in one appointment.

Veneers

In this case, your dentist cements a thin layer of porcelain to the front surface of your tooth to hide the crack. The procedure usually happens in two stages. First, your dentist will file down the outer layer of your tooth, make an impression of your mouth and fit a temporary veneer. Once your custom-made veneer  is ready, you’ll be invited back for a second appointment so that your dentist can attach it using strong dental glue.

Crowns

This is when your dentist fits a tooth-shaped cap over the top of your chipped tooth to cover it completely. It aims to improve the appearance of your broken tooth and help to make it stronger. During your first visit, your dentist will remove some of the outer layer from your tooth. They’ll then take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab to make your new crown, before fitting a temporary one. At your follow-up appointment, they’ll cement the permanent crown  in place.

Root canal treatment

If the crack has damaged deep inside your tooth, your nerves are exposed or it’s badly infected, your dentist may recommend a procedure called a root canal. This aims to stop the infection from spreading and save your tooth. To do this, your dentist will numb the area, make a small hole into your tooth and clean out the infected tissue before filling it again. They’ll usually use a temporary filling at first, and invite you back for a second appointment to check that the infection is completely gone before filling it permanently.

Tooth removal

In some cases, if the crack in your tooth goes all the way down to your gum and your tooth can’t be repaired, it may need to be taken out completely. Your dentist will only suggest a tooth extraction  if there are no other options. If this is necessary, your dentist will numb the area and gently loosen your tooth before removing it. They’ll also talk you through your options for replacing your missing tooth.