By definition, a cracked tooth is a tooth that has been fractured from the top of the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve.  A fracture like this often does not result in the tooth actually splitting apart, although it can.  It either case, it does not ultimately matter, because a cracked tooth is very painful, and it must be dealt with.  Unlike bones, cracked teeth will not heal and will only deteriorate if left untreated.

Filling a cracked tooth with dental composite or crowning a cracked tooth are the only ways to effectively treat the condition.  In most instances, dentists prefer crowning a cracked tooth because it keeps the tooth from separating.  The crown also acts as a shield against bacteria and a deterrent of subsequent infection. 

Teeth crack for any number of reasons.  Something as simple as the wear and tear of chewing and biting can eventually wear away at a toothespecially as the aging process takes it toll on teeth.  Chewing on hard substances like candy or ice can also crack teeth.

Tooth decay, or certain procedures like root canals, can also weaken teeth and leave them vulnerable to cracking.  In an impact or accident, the tooth can suddenly fracture without warning. 

Crowning a cracked tooth is normally the only course to take in a situation where the loss of tooth mass has left too little of the original tooth for a filling to adequately restore.   . 

Symptoms of a crack in a tooth include sensitivity to cold and heat and sometimes noticeably sweet or sour foods.  People also may feel a sharp pain when they bite down.  If this pain is intermittent, it is almost certainly a sign of a crack in tooth.  

The only way to be completely certain, however, is for a person get a full dental checkup.  A full dental examination will be needed before a conclusive diagnosis can be made.  Any person who procrastinates is only setting themselves up for more complicated and costly dental treatment at a later point in time.

It is paramount that dentists evaluate and treat cracks as soon as possible before they grow in size.  When a crack reaches the tooth's nerve, bacteria infect it, and root canal therapy may be required to save it.  If the infection destroys the root, the tooth may need to be extracted.

Houston dentists can often prevent such drastic measures by detecting problems early on.  They take x-rays and analyze the patients bite and determine the nature and severity of the fracture.  If a crack is very superficial and minor, dental resin may be all that is needed to repair it.  This may be done for smaller cracks called craze lines that are hairline cracks in the enamel and often the results of natural aging and wear and tear on the teeth. 

However, like we already stated, crowning a cracked tooth is often the best remedy because it will prevent the crown from growing in size.  There are gold crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, and porcelain crowns that can all work effectively for this purpose.