Several times a year a patient will come into my office, concerned about how their mouth is ‘falling apart’ because of a new crack they just found in a tooth.  In a magnified mirror, or in ‘just the right light’, a verticle line was discovered. 
Then, I’ll pull up photos of their teeth on the computer, and show them that the crack has been there for some time. In fact, most teeth have small cracks, because enamel is crystalline in structure, and prone to cracking under stress. 
Much of the time these cracks are insignificant.  Occasionally, though, they propagate toward the center of the tooth, or down the root of the tooth, and cause pain.   They can even lead to a complete fracture of the tooth.

Cracked tooth syndrome (CTS) is a condition where a crack in a tooth has spread through the enamel and into the underlying dentin.  It is often seen in people who clench or grind their teeth, or chew hard foods, like ice or corn nuts, as well as in teeth with large, old fillings, as these are known to weaken teeth. Biting on the cracked tooth causes pain, because the nerve endings are located in this area, and the force of the bite spreads the tooth apart along the crack. 
Sometime this condition is noticed early, and the discomfort is mild and sporadic.   Other times, the pain comes on suddenly and strong, and needs to be dealt with right away. 

Ignoring this problem can lead to irreversible nerve damage and require root canal treatment or, in extreme cases, extraction of the tooth.

Here’s the good news:  When detected early, CTS can be easily treated. 
The most common treatment is a full or partial-coverage restoration, like a crown or onlay. 
These restorations splint the tooth solidly along the crack, and strengthening it so that the tooth can withstand the daily stresses that teeth are normally subjected to. 

Don’t delay in seeking treatment if you have even mild pain on biting, and ask your dentist to check your teeth for cracking.  You’ll be glad you did!

Keep smiling!

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Caron Nelson Glickman, DDS has been helping her patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles in Duvall since 1992.

          For more information, contact 425-788-1551.

          Caron Nelson Glickman,DDS
          26425 NE Allen Street, #102 • Duvall
          425-788-1551 • caronnelson@comcast.net
          www.great-smile.com