Cracked Your Tooth – Can It Heal On Its Own?

How Our Teeth Work

Our teeth are unique and develop before we are even born. Contrary to popular belief, our teeth are not bones. They are made of enamel which is made of calcium phosphate. They are often mistaken as bone since enamel needs calcium to be strong and healthy.

Teeth are comprised of enamel, dentin, cementum, and tooth pulp. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and protects the blood vessels and tissues in the dental pulp. Our teeth cannot regenerate or heal because the enamel is not made of living tissues and blood vessels.

What is a Cracked Tooth?

Our teeth are exceptionally strong, but they can break or crack. A cracked tooth is the result of an injury or bad bite. When damaged, the tooth’s inner layers are exposed to disease-causing bacteria. A cracked tooth can affect the root and cause tooth loss in some cases.

Causes of a cracked tooth include:

• A bad bite
• Using your teeth as a tool (opening bottle cap, etc.)
• Injury or trauma (playing sports, etc.)
• Too much pressure on the tooth due to grinding teeth
• Weak tooth due to old age or other condition

Sometimes a tooth will crack, and the individual may not notice anything. However, over time the tooth will begin to cause problems. Some of the symptoms of a cracked tooth include:

• Pain when biting or chewing
• Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks
• Throbbing pain and gum swelling

Treatment for a Cracked Tooth

The treatment depends on the severity of the damage. If the crack is mild, the treatment will be different than a cracked tooth that exposes the root. Some of the treatments for a cracked tooth include:

• Root canal
• Filling or dental bonding
• Crowns

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.