The most common is traumatic but deep decay or sudden changing the heat can cause cracks in the tooth enamel.

Cracked teeth show a variety of symptoms, including erratic pain when chewing, possibly with the release of biting pressure, or pain when your tooth is exposed to temperature extremes. In many cases, the pain may come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth is causing the discomfort.

There are many different types of cracked teeth. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depend on the type, location, and extent of the crack.

When a piece of a tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, often around a filling, it’s called a fractured cusp. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, and usually doesn’t cause much pain. Your dentist can place a crown over the damaged tooth to protect it.