Types of Cracks in Teeth

Problems you may encounter:

• Superficial enamel cracks — microscopic lines that do not affect the dentin. Usually painless but can cause aesthetic discomfort.
• Chips on the chewing surface — typically caused by trauma or chewing hard foods. May be accompanied by brief pain.
• Deep vertical cracks — extend from the chewing surface downward, sometimes reaching the root. Require urgent treatment as they can lead to tooth fracture.
• Horizontal cracks — more common on front teeth due to injuries. Depending on depth, may require filling or veneers.
• Root cracks — the most dangerous type, often invisible without X-ray. Manifest as pain during chewing and can lead to tooth loss.

Note: Cracks can be hidden and invisible to the naked eye but still cause pain. Such defects are diagnosed using special dyes or microscopes.

How to Restore or Treat a Cracked Tooth

Treatment methods depend on the depth and nature of the damage:

• Superficial enamel cracks — often enough with professional polishing and remineralization.
• Shallow but noticeable cracks, especially on front teeth — ideal solutions are veneers. These thin ceramic or composite plates mask the defect and protect the tooth from further damage. At the AESTHETE clinic, veneers are installed without painful or aggressive tooth grinding.
• For chewing teeth with more serious damage — ceramic inlays or crowns are used to restore the anatomical shape and functionality.
• If the crack reaches the pulp — endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) followed by strengthening the tooth with a crown is necessary.
• Vertical root fractures — often require extraction and subsequent implantation.

Modern diagnostic methods allow precise assessment of the damage and help choose the best restoration approach.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Several factors determine the price of services:

1. Extent of damage — the cost directly depends on the complexity of the case. Small enamel chips require minimal intervention, whereas deep cracks reaching the pulp need comprehensive treatment.
2. Location of the damage — front teeth typically require more expensive aesthetic restorations, while molars can be restored with simpler methods.
3. Chosen treatment method — simple filling procedures cost less, while installing veneers, inlays, or crowns will be more expensive.
4. Need for additional procedures — may include root canal therapy, endodontic treatment, X-ray diagnostics, or other auxiliary manipulations.
5. Materials used — composite, ceramic, zirconia, or metal-ceramic vary significantly in price.
6. Equipment and technologies — the use of microscopes or digital modeling increases the cost but improves the quality of the result.

Consequences of a Fracture

A cracked or broken tooth poses serious health risks for the oral cavity. Bacteria can penetrate through the damage, causing pulp inflammation (pulpitis) with characteristic sharp pain. If the infection spreads beyond the root, periodontitis develops, which can lead to cyst formation.

Without treatment, the crack progresses, increasing the risk of complete fracture and subsequent tooth removal. This can cause shifting of neighboring teeth, bite disorders, and bone tissue atrophy. Uneven chewing load can also provoke problems with the temporomandibular joint.

In advanced cases, infection can lead to purulent complications — abscesses or phlegmons — requiring urgent surgical intervention. Chronic inflammation from a damaged tooth negatively affects the entire body. Even minor fractures can lead to serious consequences over time, so timely dental consultation is essential.