Do You Have a Cracked Tooth?

I have a mysterious pain that comes and goes... sometimes I bite down and feel the pain, but it quickly goes away. I usually avoid certain foods, and chew on one side of my mouth. What's wrong?

You may have a cracked tooth. Tiny cracks in the teeth are common and usually do not cause problems. However a crack may grow into a hairline fracture, running vertically along the tooth. Cracks are often invisible to the unaided eye and may not show on an x-ray.

Even though a crack may be microscopic, biting or putting pressure on it may cause the crack to open, irritating the tooth pulp inside. When this happens, the tooth may become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

$Vertical fracture in tooth$

In order to isolate which tooth is causing the problem, your dentist will ask you to note when you have sensitivity to heat or cold, to sweet, sour, or sticky food, and approximately where the pain is when you chew. Additional tests can be performed in the office to help identify the cracked tooth.

Depending on the size and location of the crack, your dentist may restore the tooth with bonding, and onlay, or a crown. A severely cracked tooth may need extraction. Your dentist will determine the best treatment for you. Call our office at (610) 566-3326 to schedule an examination if you are experiencing this type of pain.