Left untreated, a chipped tooth can be a source of problem. Even though teeth are made of very hard material, abusive or harsh use can cause them to chip and crack. When you eat food that is very hard, such as corn kernels or ice, one wrong bite can cause your tooth to chip. People have a tendency to take it lightly, which adds to such incidents. Chip in a tooth means that the enamel covering of the tooth has been broken which indicates a breach of the tooth’s protective coating. Untreated, this will certainly lead to tooth decay because it is impossible to clean the inside of a chipped area of the tooth. The crack in the enamel allows disease causing bacteria to enter the tooth and cause decay from inside as well. In a matter of time the tooth will become infected seriously and this could lead to eventual loss of the tooth.

There are several types of tooth fractures and breaks, each of which requires a different treatment solution.

Minor cracks

These are sometimes called "craze lines." These are surface cracks that affect only the outer part of the tooth, called the enamel. Minor cracks rarely need treatment. However, your dentist may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots.

Cracked tooth

Cracked tooth or fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve. The pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually grows in size. It can sometimes be repaired with filling material. The tooth often will need a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you might also need a root canal.

Chipsh

Minor chips may be left untreated. Your dentist may suggest repairing the damage with filling material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look and feel better. If the chip is very small, the dentist may polish and smooth out just the chipped area.

Serious breaks

Such breaks go deep into the nerve. They almost always cause the tooth to hurt and be sensitive. Also, the broken part of the tooth could bleed. You will need root canal treatment to remove the exposed nerve and probably a crown to restore the tooth to normal function so you can eat and chew properly.

Split tooth

This means that the tooth has split vertically into two separate parts. Some teeth, such as your back teeth (molars), have more than one root. In such cases, it may be possible to keep one of the roots, which will then be covered with a crown. First, you will need root canal treatment. Second, the dentist will remove any roots that cannot be kept. Third, you will need a crown to cover the root and replace the tooth. In some cases, when a root cannot be saved, the tooth will have to be removed.

Vertical breaks or split root

These cracks start in the root of the tooth and extend upward toward the chewing surface. These breaks are often painful because the area around the root may be inflamed or infected. In such cases, the tooth will have to be extracted.

Decay-induced break

In this case, the tooth has broken or crumbled because a cavity weakened it from the inside out. Your dentist will evaluate the cavity and recommend the best way to restore the tooth. In some cases, if the decay is extensive and goes down to the bone, the tooth may have to be extracted.