Cracked tooth syndrome, or CTS, can be one of the hardest conditions to
diagnose – teeth suffering from CTS usually have fractures that
are much too small to be seen on X-rays. In some cases, the fracture is
underneath the gum line which is extremely difficult to spot. Individuals
who grind or clench their teeth are at risk of having CTS because of the
constant and continuous pressure put on their teeth. In this blog, our
Ventura County dentist explains symptoms, prevention, and treatment for CTS.
Symptoms
Those who suffer from CTS experience a fair amount of pain when chewing
or biting down. Although it won’t happen every time, there’s
a chance the tooth may feel pain only when you bite a specific way. If
left undiagnosed and untreated, the fracture can grow and eventually make
the tooth loose. Some patients go months with not knowing their pain and
discomfort is consistent with CTS because of its symptomatic inconsistencies
and difficulty to diagnose.
Prevention
One of the main causes of CTS is added pressure to your teeth, often resulting
from constant grinding. If you grind or clench your teeth, you should
discuss treatment options with your dentist. If you are grinding your
teeth at night, for example, your dentist may suggest that you wear a
mouth guard to relieve the pressure.
Treatments
The treatments for CTS vary, depending on the location, direction, and
extent of the crack. A tooth crack can be as minor as a superficial fracture
on the outer layer of the tooth or as serious as a deep crack that splits
the root and exposes the nerve. If the crack involves just the surface
of your tooth, your dentist may recommend that the tooth be restored with
a crown. If the fracture is at risk of exposing the nerve, however, you
may need to undergo a root canal. In the most extreme and serious cases,
the tooth may need to be extracted – in these instances, a dentist
can replace the tooth with an implant or bridge.
To
make an appointment with our Ventura County dentist, call Mark Weitzman, D.D.S. today at (805) 295-8896.