Does a Cracked Tooth Need to Be Pulled?

A cracked tooth, or a tooth fracture, is when your tooth has fissures or cracks. Having a cracked tooth is often scary and may cause panic and uncertainty about whether your tooth can be saved or needs to be removed.

That all depends on how big the crack in your tooth is. If the crack is so deep that it affects your tooth structure, it will most likely need to be removed. However, if it is only small and on the tooth’s surface, there are other treatment options that are less invasive and serious. Tooth extraction is usually used as a last resort.

At Atria Dental Gordon, our experienced team puts your health, safety and comfort before all else. We will do our best to save your cracked tooth, but we acknowledge that sometimes the only option is to have it pulled to prevent further damage or infection. We will discuss all treatment options with you and ensure you feel comfortable before proceeding with any treatment.

Continue reading to learn more about cracked teeth and why they may need to be extracted.

Table of Contents

What is a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth or a fractured tooth refers to a tooth that has been broken, chipped or cracked. There are multiple types of tooth fractures that can range from microscopic fissures on the tooth’s surface to visible cracks that can extend down to the tooth’s structure and pulp, making it a more serious issue.

No matter how small or big your tooth’s fracture is, it is always smart to visit your local dentist to get a professional opinion and the needed treatment before the issue worsens.

What Are the Different Types of Cracked Teeth?

The different types of tooth fractures include:

Craze Lines

Craze lines are tiny and sometimes microscopic. They are located on the tooth enamel and often don’t require any treatment at all, as they are superficial. Some people may not even be aware that they have them.
However, we recommend you still see your dentist if you notice any cracks, as sometimes they can lead to more complicated dental issues down the line.

Vertical Root Fractures

These cracks begin at the tooth’s root and extend upwards. Unfortunately, most people don’t even notice this crack until their tooth gets infected, making it more complicated to treat. Vertical root fractures often require root canal treatments or may even need to be removed.

Cracked Tooth

This crack begins from the surface of the tooth and extends downwards towards the tooth root and gum line. It often increases your sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages.

Although it sounds serious, your tooth can be saved if treated quickly. However, in more serious cases, the tooth will need to be extracted.

Fractured Cusp

These cracks usually occur around dental fillings and on the tooth’s crown. It is generally painless and doesn’t always affect the tooth’s pulp or structure.
In most cases, dental fillings or crowns can restore the tooth; however, in more serious cases, the tooth’s structure may be at risk, and the tooth must be pulled.

Split Tooth

A split tooth is when the vertical crack extends from the tooth’s surface down towards the root and the gum line.

In most cases, the tooth won’t be able to be saved and will need to be extracted.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

Keep an eye out for any of these symptoms:

Tooth sensitivity: Higher sensitivity to cold and hot foods and beverages.
Pain: A sharp pain when chewing down on food or biting.
Visible cracks: Sometimes, you will be able to spot the crack in your tooth.
Swollen gums: Your gums may become swollen or tender around the affected tooth.

What Causes a Cracked Tooth?

You may get a cracked tooth from the following:

Tooth trauma or injury: If your tooth gets injured or faces trauma from a sports injury, it can become cracked.
Teeth grinding: Many people unconsciously grind their teeth while they sleep. Grinding your teeth puts added pressure on them and leads to wear and tear, which can result in your teeth becoming more easily cracked.
Chewing on hard foods: Repeatedly chewing on hard foods like lollipops, nuts, popcorn, and ice can put extra pressure on your teeth and cause cracks.
Thermal stress: If you repeatedly eat or drink hot and then cold foods/beverages in quick succession, it can cause your teeth to go through thermal stress, where they rapidly expand and contract, making them more susceptible to cracking.
Aging: As people age, their tooth enamel becomes weaker, with extra wear and tear on their teeth. These factors can all lead to a higher chance of teeth becoming cracked.
Tooth decay: Tooth decay that goes untreated will cause your tooth structure to become increasingly brittle, making it more prone to tooth fractures.

How Can You Avoid Getting a Cracked Tooth?

You don’t have to worry about having a cracked tooth if you take some safety precautions:

Mouthguards: Wearing a custom-made mouthguard or retainer can stop you from grinding your teeth at night.
Stop biting down on hard foods: Limit your consumption of hard foods that can put unnecessary extra pressure on your teeth.
Protect your teeth during sports: Having a mouthguard during sport will protect your teeth in the event of an accident or injury.
Good oral hygiene: Follow a good oral hygiene to lower your risk of tooth decay and infection.

When Does A Cracked Tooth Need to Be Pulled?

If your tooth has a crack that extends down to the structure or tooth pulp, it will most likely need to be extracted. However, not every cracked tooth will need to be pulled. If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, and they will be able to discuss your treatment options with you.

Here are some clear signs that your cracked tooth will need to be pulled:

Extensive and Deep Cracks
If the tooth crack is large and deep and covers most of the tooth structure, it will weaken the tooth significantly to the point where there is no point in restoring it, and removal is the only effective treatment option.
Cracks that Extend to the Gum Line
Cracks that extend underneath the gum line can often be hidden until they result in a tooth infection or gum disease, making them particularly tricky to treat. Oftentimes, an extraction is the only treatment option.
Persistent Pain
If a cracked tooth leads to persistent, sharp tooth pain, it can become debilitating and have an adverse effect on a person’s daily life. Sometimes, extracting the cracked tooth is the fastest and most effective way to relieve the pain.
Tooth Infections
A cracked tooth is more prone to infection, as bacteria can easily enter the tooth through the crack. If an infected tooth goes untreated, it can lead to serious health problems and extreme pain. If the infection has gone untreated for some time, tooth extraction is often the best solution to stop the spread.
Impact on Other Teeth
If a cracked tooth poses a threat of infection or jeopardises the structure of the surrounding teeth, it may be best to get it extracted to save your other teeth.

Other Treatment Options

Getting a tooth extracted is often the last resort for a cracked tooth. Some other treatment options include:

Atria Dental is a family-owned dental clinic in Gordon, NSW, with a friendly and professional team and years of experience carrying out dental treatments. We understand the importance of our patients and are more than happy to sit down with you and listen to any questions or concerns you may have before beginning any treatment. We put your care and comfort before all else.

To learn more about cracked teeth and find out whether you might need a tooth extracted, please contact us at 02 400 8310 or visit our website: https://atriadentalgordon.com.au/.