Tooth Cracked in Half: Do This If There’s No Pain
Medically reviewed by Brian T. Luong, DMD
A cracked or chipped tooth is a common dental problem that may not cause pain. However, anyone with a cracked tooth should see a dentist for a repair as soon as possible. The crack can become larger, which may cause pain and allow bacteria to enter the tooth.
This article will discuss why some people do not feel pain with a cracked tooth and when to see a dentist. It will also cover cracked tooth risk factors and complications.
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My Tooth Cracked, But Why Don’t I Feel Pain?
A cracked tooth can be very sensitive and cause pain. But in some cases, there is no pain at all.
To understand why a cracked tooth may not hurt, it's helpful to understand the anatomy of the tooth.
The hard exterior layer of the tooth is the enamel. Just under the enamel is the middle layer of the tooth called dentin. Under the dentin is the pulp. The pulp contains the tooth's blood vessels and nerves.
If the enamel develops a crack or chips, it may not cause pain. That is because there are no nerve endings in the enamel. However, if the crack reaches down to the pulp or irritates the pulp, there will be pain.
Types of Tooth Fractures
There's a dental fracture classification system called Ellis Fracture Classification. Here are the different types of tooth fractures:
Ellis I fractures involve only the enamel; these injuries may show minor chipping with rough edges.
Ellis II fractures involve enamel and dentin and can cause pain to touch and sensitivity to air.
Ellis III fractures involve enamel, dentin, and pulp; can cause pain with manipulation, air, and temperature. Pinkish or reddish markings around the surrounding dentin or blood in the center of the tooth from the exposed pulp may present.
Broken Tooth, No Pain: Do Nothing or See a Dentist?
A broken tooth without pain can make it tempting to skip a trip to the dentist. However, it is necessary to see a healthcare provider about a broken tooth anwhether there is pain or not.
The crack can extend and get larger, leading to pain and infection within the tooth. If a dentist can treat the tooth as soon as possible, it may lead to an easier repair and less treatment overall.
Causes of Broken Teeth
A broken or chipped tooth is a relatively common occurrence that tends to be related to physical activities or mouth habits. Below is a list of common causes of broken teeth:
Physical mouth trauma or injury
Teeth grinding or clenching
Chewing hard foods
Poor dental hygiene
Complications and Risk Factors
While a cracked tooth cannot always be prevented, several factors can increase a person's risk of developing a cracked tooth. These risk factors include:
Age: 92% of traumatic tooth injuries occur before the age of 34
Gender: Males are twice as likely as females to crack a tooth
Activities: Participation in collision sports like hockey or football
Bruxism: A condition where someone grinds or clenches their jaw
Tooth decay: Current tooth decay or damage increases the likelihood of a cracked tooth
Silver alloy: A tooth that has been repaired with silver alloy is at an increased risk for tooth fracture
A cracked tooth can be associated with multiple other complications if left untreated.
Continued chewing can cause movement that irritates the pulp when the enamel is cracked. This can lead to pulp damage and infection, eventually creating so much damage that the pulp cannot be healed.
The complications related to a cracked tooth are:
Pulp necrosis: The most common complication in tooth fractures is when the tooth pulp dies. It may or may not be from an infection.
Tooth infection: A cracked tooth allows an opening for bacteria to enter the tooth and cause an infection and subsequent abscess.
Pulpal obliteration: A condition where hard tissue fills the walls of the root canal, leaving little space for the pulp. It can lead to pulp necrosis.
Crown discoloration: The tooth color changes.
Secondary Symptoms to Not Ignore
A cracked tooth may or may not cause any initial symptoms, which can make it seem like a problem that does not need attention. However, if left untreated, the crack can lead to a much bigger problem.
Secondary symptoms are not directly caused by the tooth crack but are complications from the initial symptoms. This may include an infection caused by bacteria entering the tooth crack and causing an abscess or an infection deep within the bones.
Repair Options and Aftercare
A cracked tooth cannot heal itself. It needs to be seen and repaired by a dentist. The repair will depend upon the severity of the crack and the damage to the inside of the tooth. The potential repair options include:
Crown: A cap placed over the tooth to cover the crack.
Dental veneer: A covering over the front of the tooth used for a small surface chip.
Root canal: Used for more serious cracks with pulp damage. It involves cleaning out the damaged pulp and placing a new filler within the tooth.
Tooth extraction: Removing the tooth when the crack is large and goes beneath the gum line.
The type of repair used for a cracked tooth will determine the type of aftercare. Always follow a dentist's aftercare instructions and follow up with any questions or concerns. Some of the instructions that may be given are:
Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods
Brush and floss as usual; just be gentle
Avoid smoking; it can slow down healing
Do not eat or drink hot or cold items for the first hour after the repair
Summary
A cracked tooth may or may not be painful. If it is not painful, it is likely that the crack has not extended into the pulp (inner layer) of the tooth. Despite not causing pain, a cracked tooth needs to be seen by a dentist for repair. If left untreated, the crack can become larger, painful, and infected. Treatment will depend upon the type of crack and its severity.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
