Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth is when a crack or fracture develops in a tooth. The main parts of a tooth include the enamel, a rigid, white exterior; the dentin, which refers to the tooth’s middle layer, and the pulp, which is the innermost layer composed of blood vessels and nerves. A cracked tooth might expose all of these parts. Once the pulp, which contains the tooth’s nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissues, is exposed after a crack or break in the tooth’s enamel, the tooth is likely to be infected. When that region is inflamed or diseased, the pain might be severe. Even if no outward signs of damage exist, a cracked tooth can still pose excruciating pain.
In adults, cracks in teeth are prevalent. The most common sites of dental fractures are in the upper front and mandibular molars. Although it is typical to break only one tooth, numerous teeth might be broken in a severe accident. The severity and depth of the crack, how long it has been there, and any other mitigating factors will all play a role in the treatment and the tooth’s potential to be revived, as is the case with most dental injuries.
