Episode #75: Can I see a crack in my tooth?

Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

Craze lines. Those little fractures you find on teeth could be an early indicator that something is wrong. How do you uncover the root cause and how can you nip it in the bud as early as possible?

(Note that there is a difference between craze lines and cracked teeth, the latter of which is a serious issue for which you would need a root canal.)

To identify craze lines, Dr. B recommends what’s called a “transillumination device” to spot them even before they become visible to the naked eye and become an aesthetic issue.

At that point, you would need a dental restoration; although, a potential solution to avoid this is to whiten your teeth and lighten the craze lines to render them invisible. You may have to go through this process once every few years.

If restorative work is unavoidable, what is needed is the application of a veneer which should last anywhere between 15-20 years before needing to be redone.

What are the root causes of craze lines? They include bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep or in the daytime), misaligned teeth, nail-biting, and chewing on non-food items (ex. ice, bone, pencils, etc.).

As with all issues, real or suspected, the best course of action is to talk to your dentist to address it as early as possible!

Key Points From This Episode:
● Introducing today’s topic: How to identify craze lines [00:00]

● How to use a transillumination device to identify craze lines early [01:23]

● Root causes of craze lines [04:00]

● Cracked teeth versus craze lines [06:17]

● How to whiten your teeth to render craze lines invisible [07:46]

● How sudden temperature changes can cause craze lines [11:02]

Resources:

Click Here to Record a Message for Dr. B
Functional Dentist Directory
What Dr. B Recommends
Ask the Dentist
About Dr. Mark Burhenne

Check Out My NEW Line of Toothpaste and Professional Dental Varnish!!

Check out Dr. B's website for more information: https://askthedentist.com

Subscribe to Dr. B's newsletter Mondays with Mark: https://askthedentist.com/newsletter