Tooth fracture is more common than you think, but can a fractured tooth root heal on its own like bones or the skin? No. While it would be ideal to have them recover on their own after damage, teeth are not bones and do not regenerate. Let’s brush up on the concept behind it and learn about ways dental care experts can help.
What is a Cracked Tooth?
It is a condition when your tooth suffers from damage and causes a small crack or fracture. The severity could be mild or intense or an emergency situation.
Types of Cracked Teeth
As soon as your dentist diagnoses the problem, they will classify your tooth fracture as one of the following 5 categories:
- Vertical Cracked Tooth: As mentioned in the name, it is a vertical crack that runs from the biting surface of your tooth to your gum line. In certain situations, the crack may extend into your gum line and root.
- Craze Lines (hairline cracks): Small, very thin lines (cracks) on your tooth enamel that do not hurt.
- Fractured Cusp: If a crack forms around your dental filling, it is a fractured cusp and is not usually very painful.
- Split tooth: It is often due to a sudden impact when your crack is in the form of a split and breaks your tooth into two parts.
- Vertical root fracture: This crack starts below your gum line and moves toward the tooth surface. This type may not cause symptoms unless the pulp becomes infected.
Can A Cracked Tooth Heal on Its Own?
Now, let’s get down to the answer to this question – can a fractured tooth root heal itself? To keep it short, no.
A cracked tooth cannot heal on its own, unlike your bones, which have blood vessels. Tooth enamel lacks blood supply and, thus, does not have the ability to repair itself when damaged.
You cannot wait for the tooth fracture to heal itself. It is a popular myth that your teeth are actually bones, but that is not the case. The tooth enamel is made of minerals like calcium phosphate and does not possess living tissues and blood vessels.
Reasons Why Your Teeth May Fracture
If you are noticing signs like pain or sensitivity in the form of constant aches or episodes, it may be because your tooth is cracked.
Biting Down on Hard Objects
A tooth can suffer from fracture because of biting down on hard objects, such as ice cubes, hard candy, nuts, etc. The sudden force on the teeth’ enamel when biting into these items causes cracks or fractures.
Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)
Involuntary tooth grinding is a condition referred to as bruxism. It is where you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth, often during sleep. This puts excessive pressure on the teeth, weakening their structure over time.
Dental Trauma
Accidents or trauma to the mouth are common. Falls, sports injuries, or any impact on the face can fracture your teeth.
Large Fillings and Dental Restorations
Whenever you choose large dental fillings, such as crowns or bridges, your enamel becomes weak. This makes it more susceptible to cracking or fracturing.
Tooth Decay and Weakened Enamel
Tooth decay and weakened enamel can also contribute to cracked teeth. As the enamel thins and becomes weaker, the tooth becomes more vulnerable to cracking. Acidic foods and drinks can also erode tooth enamel, making it more prone to cracks.
Aging and Wear and Tear
Natural wear and tear as time passes is a given, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. The enamel becomes thinner and weaker, lessening its sturdiness. This is the reason why older individuals are more prone to tooth fractures compared to younger people.
Management and Treatment
The choice of treatment plan mainly depends on the extent of damage or fracture your tooth has suffered.
- Tooth bonding: The cracks are filled in with tooth-colored resin.
- Dental contouring: Dentists smoothen out the rough edges. Next, they check and adjust those areas where your tooth is hitting too much and polish the entire structure.
- Placement of a dental crown: They can fit a porcelain or ceramic cap over your cracked tooth.
- Dental veneers: Veneers are fragile and wafer-thin shells that fit over the front of your tooth and are made of porcelain or plastic.
- Root canal: If the fracture reaches down into your tooth pulp, it can lead to severe infection. This is where dentists perform a root canal and take the infected root out.
- Tooth extraction: There are times when salvaging a tooth is not possible. In such cases, dentists recommend removing your tooth and replacing it with a dental bridge or an implant.
How Long Does It Take To Fix a Fracture In Tooth?
Since a fractured tooth root cannot heal itself, the time for repair actually depends on the treatment route chosen. Repairing may take weeks or months; here are some timelines can come in handy:
- Crowns: Dental crowns can be fit in a single day or may take a few visits, all depending on your case.
- Tooth Extractions: Replacing the tooth with a dental implant takes months.
- Veneers: It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to create a veneer before your dentist calls for a fit to your tooth.
Closing Note
Now that you know why a fractured tooth cannot heal itself do not wait and rush to a dental office. Get help from a professional to make decisions that are appropriate to your specific situation. You can also leave it to the oral care experts at Trinity Dental Centers to guide you through this journey, restoring your smile with precision and care. Dial (281) 724-4510 to connect with us.
