Enamel is one of the strongest materials in your body. This is why it functions to protect your teeth from harm. However, some people tend to take their enamel for granted, which can lead to it acquiring some damage. One of the more common causes of damage to your enamel would be through trauma, which would result in a crack in your tooth.

It should be noted though that your enamel could also gradually deteriorate over time through enamel erosion, whereby the surface of the tooth is steadily eroded due to the foods and drinks that you are exposing your teeth to. If you have received trauma to your teeth, you should take note that there are different types of cracks that you could develop. Knowing what type of crack you have makes you better placed at determining whether you require immediate treatment or not. Here are some of the different forms of cracks your teeth can develop.

Craze lines

These are some of the more common types of teeth cracks that people will develop in their life. They are minuscule cracks that will only have an impact on the outer surface of the enamel. Craze lines are especially common in adults due to the wear and tear that their teeth have been exposed to over the years. Since craze lines are shallow, they are typically painless, and you may not need to consult a dentist for treatment.

Fractured cusps

Another type of crack that you are susceptible to developing, as you get older is the fractured cusp. The cusp is the part of your tooth that comes into contact with food when you are chewing or biting. Since they cusp is exposed to a significant amount of usage over the years, they have a propensity of developing a crack or eventually fracturing off the tooth. If the fractured cusp is not causing you any discomfort, chances are it is a minor problem. However, if you begin to feel pain and discomfort, it could indicate that your pulp is exposed and you would require immediate attention from your dentist.

Split tooth

A split tooth will occur if you had developed a crack in your tooth and ignored it. This is especially prevalent if the previous crack extended vertically on the surface of the tooth. Left untreated, the tooth becomes weaker and eventually will split into two distinct segments. It is, therefore, advisable to have vertical cracks treated using either veneers, dental bending or other forms of treatment before they get a chance to become exacerbated.

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