Dental fissures are cracks that work their way over the surface of the tooth.
The fissures that occur only in the tooth’s enamel have the appearance of a crack and do not usually produce any symptoms.
Age is an important factor as most tooth cracks occur in people over 50 years of age.
How do dental fissures occur?
Chewing
In healthy teeth, cracks can be caused by chewing ice, candy, hard nougats, or other foods that are notoriously tough.
Temperature
They can also be caused by sudden changes in temperature in the mouth.
Bruxism
The habit of bruxing wears down the surface of the tooth, making it more vulnerable to cracks. On the other hand, the pressure itself produced during tightening can also spontaneously have a dental fissure.
Trauma
In cases where the tooth is endodontist, devoid of its nerve, and the dentin dehydrates and, therefore, the tooth weakens, and a fissure may occur when biting something more complex than expected.
How are they diagnosed?
- Visual examination using magnifying glasses and study using a probe to see if the probe is caught in the presence of a crack.
- Using a dental stain on your teeth can help the crack to stand out visually.
- While X-rays cannot reveal small cracks, they can show poor pulp health, which is sometimes an indication of a crack.
Treatment of dental fissure
The treatment of a dental fissure or fracture depends on several factors:
The place where the crack is- The size of the crack
- Whether or not it extends below the gum line
The dentist may recommend solutions such as sealing with a plastic resin to fill the crack or endodontic treatment if the crack extends into the pulp.
If the tooth, its root, and its nerve are severely damaged, sometimes the only option is to extract it.
Prevention
The best treatment for fissures is to try to prevent them.
When engaging in contact sport or work where injury could occur, it is essential to wear a mouth guard or a protective mask. It is also important to use common sense and avoid eating foods that can cause cracks, such as popcorn or nuts.