Cracked Teeth

Dr. Bakos will schedule a comprehensive examination to diagnose orofacial pain and pulpal status anddetermine if the tooth is a good candidate for endodontic therapy. If you have fractured or traumatized teeth, the first thing Dr. Bakos will do is examine the tooth causing you pain, for sensitivity to hot or cold, inflammation, excessive wear, or looseness. She’ll take magnified digital photographs and digital x-rays to check for periodontal disease, cracks, or decay on your teeth. She’ll examine the joints in your jaws and the way you bite to prevent other teeth from cracking. Most importantly, Dr. Bakos will listen to your questions and concerns about your teeth. From there, she’ll determine a diagnosis and discuss your treatment options with you.

Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even pain on the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.

Chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and the tooth will hurt consistently, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth. Teeth with cracks can often be saved if the symptoms are diagnosed and treated early.