WEBVTT

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Our teeth are designed to cut,
 grind and tear food.

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Although our teeth are strong,
 they can become damaged or cracked.

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A cracked tooth is a common dental issue.

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And while the crack may be too small
 to even see on an X-ray,

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it can cause major problems
 to your oral health and comfort.

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A cracked tooth can be caused
 by a variety of things, including

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grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing
 ice, hard candy or other hard foods.

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Having a large filling.

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Putting too much pressure on a tooth.

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In many cases, cracked teeth
 occur on the molars

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as these teeth tend
 to absorb the full bite force.

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However, most crack teeth exhibit
 similar symptoms,

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regardless of the size
 or location of damage.

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Some of these include
 increased tooth sensitivity

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and pain when chewing
 or releasing bite pressure.

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If you have experienced
 any of these symptoms,

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your dentist can work with you
 to find the crack and provide treatment.

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There are several different types
 of cracked teeth, some of which are craze

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lines. These cracks occur on the outer
 layer of the tooth or the enamel.

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They are superficial
 and typically do not require treatment

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unless you wish to improve
 the appearance of your tooth

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fractured cusps.

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These cracks occur
 when the cusps of the tooth,

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the raised points at the top
 are weak and break off.

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In most cases, a dental crown
 is the right treatment for these cracks.

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Cracked tooth. This particular
 type of crack reaches

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the exposed chewing surface of the tooth
 and down towards the roots,

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sometimes reaching
 beneath the gum line with these cracks.

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The inner pulp often becomes damaged,
 resulting in the need for a root

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canal split tooth.

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When a previous crack is left untreated,
 it can cause the tooth to break apart,

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resulting in a split tooth
 depending on the severity of the break.

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Your dentist may or may not be able
 to preserve your tooth.

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Treatment may result
 in an extraction or endodontict

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retreatment vertical root fracture.

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These cracks begin
 at the tip of a root and climb upwards

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towards the chewing surface.

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Vertical root fractures
 are more difficult to diagnose.

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Which means they can go untreated
 for a longer period of time.

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In many cases, this leads
 to an extraction. However,

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if the tooth is still salvageable,
 you will require surgery on the roots.

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Regularly visiting the dentist
 and avoiding tooth damaging habits

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can help you avoid a cracked tooth
 or catch it early on.

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If you have experienced

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the symptoms of a cracked tooth,
 talk to your dentist as soon as possible.

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He or she will help.

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You know what you can do to care for your
 tooth until you can receive treatment.