Cracked Tooth Enamel: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Minor surface cracks, which are known as craze lines, are common in tooth enamel and are usually painless and require no treatment. If sharp tooth pain develops while chewing or a sensitivity to hot or cold causes discomfort, then the tooth may have cracked or fractured completely through the enamel and dentin layers to the tooth's pulp. The cracked tooth is treated by an endodontist who is skilled in repairing cracked teeth. Treatment of the cracked tooth depends upon the type, location and severity of the crack.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit the endodontist to fix the cracked tooth. The endodontist determines the extent of the crack by injecting a temporary dye into the affected tooth to stain it to microscopically view the cracked tooth.

• 2

  Repair the cracked tooth enamel with filling material, which is done by the endodontist. The filling material holds the cracked tooth together and is similar to the substance used to fill cavities.

• 3

  Cap the filled tooth with a porcelain crown. The crown covers the tooth above the gum line to prevent further damage. Avoid clenching or grinding teeth and chewing ice, hard candy and popcorn kernels, since this will break the crown.