Hairline Tooth Fractures

You may not have heard of the term hairline tooth fracture but it could be a condition you’re already familiar with. When biting down something, have you ever felt a sharp pain that quickly disappears? This is one of the most common symptoms of a hairline tooth fracture.

What’s a hairline tooth fracture?

A small crack on the tooth is what’s referred to as a hairline tooth fracture. There are different types of cracks that can appear on the tooth. They include:

Common causes of hairline tooth fractures

You may experience small cracks on your teeth due to:

Signs and symptoms of a hairline tooth fracture

If you suspect that you could be having a hairline tooth fracture, watch out for the symptoms below:

The reason why a cracked tooth hurts is because whenever you bite down food, it exerts pressure on the crack causing it to open further. When you stop biting the food, the crack closes back up which explains why the sharp pain immediately disappears. Sometimes the cracks are very microscopic but when they open, they expose pulp inside the tooth that could become infected or damaged. Once the pulp is infected, you’ll have to undergo a root canal to save your tooth.

How to determine if you have a hairline tooth fracture

It’s impossible to detect a hairline tooth fracture due to its small size that makes it invisible to the naked eye. However, the dentist can diagnose this condition by performing a visual exam using a magnifying lens or using a dental dye which makes the cracks stand out more. An x-ray may also reveal small cracks.

Treatment of hairline tooth fracture

The best method of treatment will depend on where the crack is located, its size and how far it’s extended towards the gum line. Bonding can be done to fill the crack. The dentist may also recommend applying a crown, which fits over the damaged tooth and caps it. In severe cases, where the crack has extended into the pulp, a root canal is necessary or you may have to remove the tooth.

Read Blog

Let Our Family Treat Yours

Book Your Consultation

Select Service
  • Cosmetics & Smile Correction Cosmetics & Smile Correction
  • Pain & Emergency Pain & Emergency
  • Dental Hygiene Dental Hygiene
  • TMJ TMJ
  • Implants Implants
  • Other Other

Clicking You Accept Our Terms of Use

905-533-2030 Book Online
905-533-2030 Book Appointment