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Coping with Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Older Man With Mouth PainIf there’s anything good to be said about a broken tooth, it’s that the cause of the problem is pretty obvious. The same can’t always be said when a tooth develops a crack, which is sometimes too small to even be seen with the naked eye. In fact, researchers have compiled case histories to develop a “cracked tooth syndrome” profile.

Who? The potential for crack rises with age. Past 40, enamel tends to grow brittle partly due to reduced moisture. The tooth itself is less resistant to stress, and teeth that have numerous cavities or support large existing restorations are more liable to crack.

Where? Molars are prime candidates, thanks to the stresses these “nutcrackers” face daily. But other teeth can develop fractures that intersect the pulp chamber and challenge the tooth’s vitality.

How? The most common cause is “masticatory accident”—chomping down on a hard foreign object. Chances grow if you stress your teeth with bad habits, like ice chewing.

When? Diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome is notoriously difficult because it can be present in an apparently normal, cavity-free molar. Often, pain emanates from the entire “mouth area,” not from any specific tooth. Several instruments exist for fracture detection but one of the most effective is transillumination—lighting the tooth from behind makes cracks visible.

Treatment? We have the means to protect a cracked tooth and eliminate the discomfort they can cause. Each fracture is unique and requires a different treatment response, so diagnosis is critical. A crown to surround and support the tooth may be the most reasonable choice.

About Yuri Kaneda, DDS

Dr. Yuri Kaneda was born in Japan and immigrated to the US when she was 4 years old with her family. She lived in Ohio, Nebraska, and Illinois before finally settling in the San Diego area. A graduate of Bonita Vista High School, she went on to the University of California Berkeley where she obtained her Bachelors in Microbiology and Immunology. After working for 2 years in growth plate research at University of California San Diego, she went to the University of California San Francisco Dental School for her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Upon graduation, she returned to San Diego where she worked as an associate in the practice of Drs. Morimoto and Yaryan, her childhood dentist. She then started her own practice in 1995 and has been at her present location since 1999 which happens to be across the street from her high school!

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