Understanding Hairline Cracks In Teeth

It’s a small break in the tooth that usually shows up on the surface. It’s also known as a craze line. These little cracks happen a lot, but they can be scary because they could mean bigger problems or hurt over time. Stellar Dental can help us understand these cracks better.

What Are Hairline Cracks in Teeth?

Tiny surfaces break as hairline cracks in teeth leave the internal structure of the tooth unharmed. Usually found on the outermost layer of the enamel, hairline fissures abound. They might not seem detrimental at first, but if ignored or under constant pressure, they will get bigger.

What Makes Teeth Crack Along the Edges

Dentists at Stellar Dental suggest that hairline cracks can show up for a number of reasons, including:

• Hard foods, like ice, almonds, and popcorn pieces, can damage tooth enamel.
• The average loss of enamel that comes with aging increases the susceptibility of teeth to cracks.
• Cracks can happen in teeth that are worn down over time, especially if you grind your teeth at night.
• A small crack in the tooth can happen because of an accident or a sports injury, even if the tooth is perfectly straight.
• Small cracks can form in your teeth when the temperature changes quickly. This is because your teeth expand and shrink.

Symptoms of Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks can manifest in several ways, some of which may not be immediately apparent to the human eye. These include:

• Biting down on a cracked tooth can be uncomfortable, especially if the crack is deep.
• Even minor cracks can cause light spots or darker lines to form on the tooth’s surface.
• If a tooth begins to grow around a small crack, the region surrounding it may appear uneven.
• Intolerance to heat, cold, or sugar. This could be a side effect of the cracks opening up some internal nerves.

How to Find Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks might be difficult to detect because they are so minute. When dentists at Stellar Dental do these procedures, they follow the given procedure.

• Your dentist could look for dental cracks using a magnifying glass.
• Examining the surface with a dental probe helps them to find any flaws.
• Dentists can see fractures and color their patients’ teeth with a non-toxic dye.
• An intense light is placed on the tooth to reveal defects. This technique is known as transillumination.
• An X-ray may reveal the cracks if they are large and harm the interior of the tooth, but this is not always the case.

Different Ways to Treat Hairline Cracks in Teeth

We treat hairline cracks in different ways, depending on how bad they are and what signs you have:

• No Need for Quick Fix: If the crack is only visible and not causing any issues, it might be enough to just keep an eye on it.
• Polishing or Bonding: If a tooth has a small crack on the top, the dentist can polish it to make it smoother. Bonding material can also be used to strengthen the area, which also makes the tooth look better.
• Dental Veneers: Veneers can be used to cover the surface of a tooth to conceal a crack and enhance the appearance of the face.
• Dental Crowns: Crowns protect teeth. They can safeguard a tooth with a deep fissure that is predicted to worsen or make chewing difficult.
• Root Canal: A root canal may be needed if your tooth cracks to the pulp. This surgery is intended to eliminate damaged tissue and prevent it from recurring in the future.
• Manual Extraction: In case passive therapy makes the fracture worse, extraction can be the only method to rectify the situation.

Tips to Prevent Hairline Cracks

There are several causes of cracked teeth. But by following the given tips, you can keep your teeth from breaking in the future:

• If you have a habit of grinding teeth, you should wear a mouthguard while sleeping.
• Avoid eating or drinking anything hot or cold or a mix of both; it can lead to severe oral issues.
• You can maintain the health of your enamel and avoid more problems by brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist on a regular basis.
• It is possible that eating or drinking anything hot or cold shortly after something cold will cause tooth damage.

When to Visit the Dentist at Stellar Dental

Consult a dentist at Stellar Dental if your teeth are in pain, are sensitive, or have noticeable lines. Small cracks in the teeth can become bigger problems if they are not fixed right away. It can also help you avoid more painful treatments in the future.

Managing these cracks is easier when one knows their causes, treatments, and origins. Regular dental visits, good tooth care, and avoidance of overworking your teeth all help to reduce your risk of hairline fractures.