While your teeth are very strong, they are not indestructible. Longitudinal tooth fractures are one of the many forms of dental damage which may arise, and this presents a rather difficult issue to both the patients and the dentists. A longitudinal fracture, or a vertical crack in a molar tooth, also referred to as fracture longitudinal, is a fracture that develops progressively and is not noticed until the damage is severe. Unlike a simple chipped or cracked tooth, which is immediately visible, a longitudinal fracture gradually develops and remains undetected until the damage gets serious. It is essential to learn the initial signs and symptoms of these fractures to maintain your dental health and prevent more severe complications in the future.
What is a Longitudinal Tooth Fracture?
A longitudinal fracture is a crack that extends vertically through a tooth, usually on the chewing surface towards the root. These fractures vary in minor cracks on the surface to serious splits cutting deep into the tooth structure. The location and severity of the condition will dictate what symptoms you will have, as well as the form of treatment you will need.
There are a number of different longitudinal fractures that may occur on your teeth. The most superficial are craze lines- these are minute cracks that occur on the outer enamel. These craze lines molar surfaces commonly occur on the teeth due to the continuous pressure of chewing and the change of temperature. Hairline tooth fracture is slightly deeper but it may not be immediately symptomatic. Of greater concern is a crack on the side of a tooth that runs into the dentin or a vertical crack in the molar tooth that goes as far as to the pulp chamber and one that may need immediate care.
Recognising the Early Warning Signs
- Intermittent Pain When Chewing
Sharp intermittent pain that comes with biting down or de-escalating is one of the first symptoms of a longitudinal fracture. This pain occurs since the crack enables the tooth sections to shift slightly due to pressure thereby irritating the inner pulp tissue with nerves. This pain is intermittent and therefore can be overlooked as compared to a persistent toothache. It may be especially evident to you when you are sucking on tough food or crunchy meat, or biting something at a specific angle.
– Temperature Sensitivity
Another characteristic symptom of a tooth hairline fracture is the sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold temperature. The crack puts a pathway through which temperature variations are easily accessible to the inner layers of the tooth. You may find yourself getting a sharp twinge when taking cold water or consuming ice cream or even hot coffee. This sensitivity can take some seconds to fade away. The fracture pattern that is related to a longitudinal fracture is usually unique- sharp, sudden and in most cases it is localised to a single tooth.
– Pain on Releasing Bite Pressure
A very odd and yet noteworthy symptom is the pain that arises not on biting down, but on releasing the bite. This release pain occurs because the crack opens as you bite down (painlessly sometimes) and then closes again when released producing a sharp jolt. When you observe this pattern, get yourself evaluated by a professional as soon as possible as most of the time this is an indication of a more advanced crack tooth in the hairline that needs to be treated.
– Swelling or Tenderness in Surrounding Gum Tissue
As a longitudinal fracture continues, the bacteria may penetrate the crack and result in inflammation. You may find a swelling, tenderness or a small bump on the gum close to the affected tooth. The region can be tender and warm. There are instances where you may get gum irritation intermittently which comes and goes as the crack opens and closes occasionally letting in bacteria.
– Acute bad breath or unpleasant taste
A symptom that is easily overlooked is that of constantly smelly breath or unpleasant taste around a single tooth. As a crack spreads below the gum line, it forms a cavity where bacteria proliferate and food particles get lodged. This accumulation of bacteria leaves an odour that could not be removed by regular brushing as you cannot clean the inside of the crack.
When a Cracked Tooth Becomes a Dental Emergency
Although there are longitudinal fractures that occur gradually with time, there are other cases that need urgent action. A toothache, which lasts hours, particularly when it is accompanied by swelling, fever, or pus, is a possible sign of an infection that is a dental emergency. When your tooth suddenly and acutely cracks, which could be as a result of trauma or biting something hard, do not delay to seek treatment even when you can tolerate the pain.
Any crack on one side of the tooth which leaves visible damage like a loose tooth part or a fragment of tooth which has broken off also needs urgent attention. On the same note, when the pain level suddenly escalates, or you have swelling on your face, these are indicators that the fracture has affected the pulp of the tooth, and a delay may lead to either loss of the tooth or the infection of the entire body.
Longitudinal Fracture Treatment
Longitudinal fracture can only be treated based on the severity and location. Minor craze line molar breakage might need no action except observation since these are surface cracks that do not pose a risk to the integrity of the tooth. Their presence will be recorded by your dentist and monitored with regular check-ups.
In a hairline tooth fracture which has penetrated the dentin without reaching the pulp, tooth hairline fracture surgery may include bonding material to close the crack to avoid further fracture. A root canal can be used in larger cases when the crack has gone to or near the nerve, in order to remove the pulp tissue that is damaged and to inhibit infection. After undergoing a root canal, the tooth will usually need a crown so that it is not damaged further and to regain its functionality.
Bridges and crowns are also important in the treatment of longitudinal fractures. The dental crown is a tooth-size covering that not only glues the fractured parts of the tooth together but also prevents the fracture to extend. This therapy has the potential of saving a tooth that is about to be lost. Where the fracture is too deep in nature or erodes the foundation of the tooth, the only solution that can be taken is extraction and the replacement by a bridge or implant.
Conclusion
Knowing the early warning signs of a chipped or broken tooth helps you seek treatment promptly before minor damage escalates. It is important to have regular dental check-ups because your dentist is usually able to detect hairline cracks even before they develop.
At Carrum Downs Dental Group, our highly skilled team makes use of state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to help identify any cracks and fractures, however minute. Dental emergencies don’t always occur during business hours, which is why we offer prompt, compassionate treatment when you need it most. Be it a severe toothache, a feeling that you have a vertical crack in a tooth of the molar, or simply the desire to prevent a deterioration of your teeth, we are at your service. Call us at Carrum Downs Dental Group now to make an appointment of your full dental check-up and keep your smile bright in many years to come.
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