Cracked teeth may not seem like a severe dental issue, but if left untreated, they can lead to further complications. There are five different types of cracked teeth, each with its own distinct symptoms and treatment options.

• Craze Lines: Also called hairline cracks, craze lines in the tooth’s enamel that often appear as faint vertical lines in adults. Although not considered fractures, they can lead to worsening and extension into the tooth dentin if left untreated.
• Fractured Cusps: When part of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, a fractured cusp happens.  They can cause temperature sensitivity but usually don’t harm the tooth’s pulp.
• Cracked Teeth: A vertical crack in a tooth can damage the pulp and require root canal therapy or extraction, depending on the extent of the damage. Early attention is key to preventing tooth loss.
• Vertical Root Fractures: Damage that starts at the tooth’s root and moves upwards is called a vertical root fracture. Often, this type of dental damage shows minimal symptoms and can go undetected. For the most part, vertical root fractures occur in teeth with previous root canal treatment.
• Split Teeth: A split tooth usually requires extraction as the crack goes from the surface to the root, resulting in the tooth splitting in half.