Dr. Sara Chung, Dr. William McCune, and Dr. John Micaletti would like all Creekside Dental patients to be aware of what a cracked or fractured tooth is, and how it should be treated. Getting treatment early can help prevent more complex or serious problems from developing as a result. How do you know if you have a cracked tooth?

How to Identify a Cracked Tooth

Cracked teeth can result from a traumatic impact with something hard, such as when an accident occurs. People who play contact sports can crack or chip a tooth especially if they don’t wear a protective mouthguard. Sometimes just biting down on something hard like a piece of candy or a nut can damage a tooth. They can also occur more commonly among people who grind their teeth a lot since this leaves teeth susceptible to fractures.

While a cracked tooth is sometimes impossible to detect with the unaided eye, a patient can usually feel that something is wrong. A fracture in your tooth may be identifiable as a sudden sharp pain you feel when drinking something extremely hot or cold. You may sense pain when you bite into something, especially something hard like ice or candy. 

Contact your dentist

You should contact your Buffalo Grove, IL dental team right away if you suspect that you have a fractured tooth. Your teeth will be examined and the crack will be pinpointed, with the level of severity identified. Then, the appropriate action will be taken by your Buffalo Grove, IL dentist to repair the tooth in some way, perhaps by bonding or by placing a crown over the damaged tooth. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to perform a root canal to save the tooth.