Our teeth help us eat, sing, kiss, and communicate with the world – among other things. Therefore, they’re bound to wear and tear over time. So if you feel a sharp pain in your tooth when you bite down on that yummy sandwich, behold! It may be a tooth crack. Hairline cracks in teeth aren’t usually visible, but some symptoms can help you and your dentist determine the fracture.
Dentists can conduct x-rays and perform visual examinations to identify your hairline tooth fracture. Moreover, a specific bite tool can also help them learn more about the location of your tooth crack.
In this blog, we’ll go over the causes, types, and treatments of hairline fractures in the teeth.
What Causes Hairline Cracks in Teeth?
A hairline fracture in your tooth could occur for a number of reasons. These include:
- Wear and tear due to aging
- Clenching your jaw
- Bruxism or grinding your teeth
- Biting hard foods like ice, nuts, etc.
- Teeth misalignment
- Brittle teeth following a root canal
- Large fillings or repeated fillings that cause loss of tooth structure.
Hairline Fractures Types
Tiny cracks in your teeth are known as hairline fractures. Hairline cracks can be so small that they’re not visible to the human eye. Thus, you might not suspect tooth fractures as the cause of your discomfort right away.
Hairline cracks in teeth are of many types, some more severe than others. Commonly, these hairline tooth fractures appear:
- Craze Line
Craze lines in teeth are fine, painless fractures on the enamel. They’re merely a cosmetic concern and typically don’t require treatment. If their appearance bothers you, consult a cosmetic dentist. - Vertical Crack
A vertical crack on the tooth needs to be addressed immediately. This crack starts from the top and runs to the bottom of your tooth. If they don’t extend the gum line, treatment might be available. However, a severe hairline crack in teeth might call for a tooth extraction. - Split Tooth
A split tooth is almost impossible to heal. This is because it splits the tooth into two parts. Hence, a hairline tooth fracture this big might be beyond saving. - Fractured Cusp
A fractured cusp is a painless crack that appears around tooth fillings. Also known as a broken cusp, it doesn’t normally reach the tooth’s pulp.
Hairline Crack in Tooth Symptoms
A hairline crack in teeth could feel like this:
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Shooting toothache when biting or chewing
- Mildly swollen gum line
How to Fix Hairline Cracks in Teeth?
The treatment for hairline cracks in teeth depends on multiple factors. The tooth fracture’s location, size, and how close it is to your gum line can help determine the suitable treatment.
Usually, treating hairline tooth fractures include a dental crown, bonding, root canal, and — in rare cases — tooth extraction.
What Should I Do?
Hairline cracks can form on your teeth for many reasons. However, your dentist can treat the fracture after inspecting it. Our Dynamic Dental Solutions experts can help you treat your dental issues. Give us a ring at (281) 837-9090 to schedule an appointment.