WHY DO TEETH CRACK
Teeth fracture for a few very simple reasons: forces over time and weakness from previous dental treatment. When a tooth needs a filling, the stresses of the restorative procedure may weaken a tooth. Then, like anything else that is used over and over again, the teeth simply start to wear down from daily use. This can lead to hairline fractures in the tooth, cracks that can develop over time. For these reasons, having a compromised tooth is not an unusual occurrence. In addition to fillings, other risk factors for cracked teeth include trauma caused by clenching and grinding. This is a very common condition that your prosthodontists can diagnose and provide solutions to alleviate.
What can happen to an untreated cracked tooth?
Untreated teeth can deteriorate significantly over time, and the results may become painful. Some cracks will lead to a tooth fragment breaking or to even worse outcomes, such as when a crack extends to the nerve, causing discomfort. While a fractured tooth is not an immediate emergency any cracked tooth left untreated will eventually lead to a more severe problem and quite possibly a dental emergency.
Luckily, a cracked tooth, if it is caught early, can be treated with a relatively simple, one-visit porcelain filling (inlay or onlay). Multiple, larger fissures or a missing tooth structure will require a porcelain cap or crown.
Before Porcelain Overlay |
After Porcelain Overlay
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