Cracks in teeth are very difficult to detect. They are often not visible to the eye and in some cases may not even appear on x- rays. Your dentist may have to use special tests to determine which tooth may be cracked. Cracks appear as tiny hairline fractures. It can be caused from grinding teeth, accidents to the mouth, tooth decay and fillings, temperature extremes or chewing on hard foods.
Cracked teeth can be very painful.
Biting causes pressure on the tooth, opening the crack and exposes the inside of the tooth, called the pulp. When releasing the bite, the crack closing causes a sharp pain. When the pulp, the inside of the tooth, becomes irritated, teeth may be sensitive to temperature extremes. As cracks worsen, the pulp gets infected and a root canal treatment may be necessary. Cracked teeth can be treated.