Acracked or chipped toothis a common dental problem that may not cause pain.
However, anyone with a cracked tooth should see a dentist for a repair as soon as possible.
The crack can become larger, which may cause pain and allow bacteria to enter the tooth.
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This article will discuss why some people do not feel pain with acracked toothand when to see a dentist.
It will also cover cracked tooth risk factors and complications.
Elena Popova / Getty Images
My Tooth Cracked, But Why Dont I Feel Pain?
A cracked tooth can be very sensitive and cause pain.
But in some cases, there is no pain at all.
The hard exterior layer of the tooth is theenamel.
Just under the enamel is the middle layer of the tooth calleddentin.
Under the dentin is the pulp.
The pulp contains the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves.
If the enamel develops a crack or chips, it may not cause pain.
That is because there are no nerve endings in the enamel.
However, if the crack reaches down to the pulp or irritates the pulp, there will be pain.
Types of Tooth Fractures
There’s a dental fracture classification system called Ellis Fracture Classification.
A broken tooth without pain can make it tempting to skip a trip to thedentist.
The crack can extend and get larger, leading to pain andinfection within the tooth.
These risk factors include:
A cracked tooth can be associated with multiple other complications if left untreated.
Continued chewing can cause movement that irritates thepulpwhen the enamel is cracked.
However, if left untreated, the crack can lead to a much bigger problem.
Secondary symptoms are not directly triggered by the tooth crack but are complications from the initial symptoms.
Repair Options and Aftercare
A cracked tooth cannot heal itself.
It needs to be seen and repaired by a dentist.
The repair will depend upon the severity of the crack and the damage to the inside of the tooth.
Always follow a dentist’s aftercare instructions and follow up with any questions or concerns.
Despite not causing pain, a cracked tooth needs to be seen by a dentist for repair.
If left untreated, the crack can become larger, painful, and infected.
Treatment will depend upon the bang out of crack and its severity.
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