What are teeth craze lines?
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Do you notice any minute vertical lines over the teeth surfaces? If yes. Don’t worry. You are not alone. Such tiny cracks are called craze lines. Few people confuse that the craze lines are fractures on the teeth. In contrast, tooth cracks and craze lines are two different things.
Unlike cracked teeth, the craze lines will not worsen but they involve cosmetic concerns. Mostly, the craze lines are invisible but they may be transparent in some people and appear yellow or grey.
In this post, our dentists have explained the craze lines in detail. keep reading to know more about them.
What causes craze lines?
Craze lines – The tiny, superficial vertical lines develop over the enamel due to the wear and tear they encounter. It happens in adult teeth with ageing. Similarly, these lines tend to teeth discoloration for people who smoke, consume alcohol, caffeine products frequently.
Apart from the constant wear and tear, years of chewing, improper oral care, the following things also form the hairline fractures over the teeth surfaces:
- Uneven bite (due to teeth misalignment or crowded teeth)
- Teeth Grinding
- Temperature changes
- Injury to the teeth
- Chewing non-edible things
- Habits like nail biting, opening bottle caps with teeth
- Biting on frozen foods
What are the effects of craze lines on dental health?
As mentioned earlier, the craze lines are harmless and do not deteriorate. Exceptional are the cases, the lines extend or go beyond the enamel layer. In such cases, you will get teeth sensitivity frequently.
Hence we recommend consult your dentist once you notice such tiny lines on the dentist. Your dental doctor will help you to identify whether the lines are craze lines or tooth cracks.
What are the treatment options available to fix craze lines?
As mentioned earlier, the craze lines worsen in exceptional cases and cause further damage. Meanwhile, the teeth repair themselves by thickening the enamel around the craze lines.
Treatment options vary to lighten the craze lines vary for each person. Mostly, dentists fix the problem using whitening strips or whitening toothpaste. On the other hand, an at-home professional whitening kit with custom-made trays to get rid of the craze lines.
If the lines are adamant and cannot be fixed with whitening solutions, dentists prefer the following cosmetic dentistry options:
- In-office teeth whitening
- Composite resins
- Dental Veneers
The resins and veneers involve modifying the teeth appearance by adhering them to teeth. They are widely recommended to cover stains, cracks over the teeth surfaces.
Bottom line
Craze lines, also known as hairline cracks or superficial cracks are hard to prevent because our teeth develop craze lines naturally when we become older.
On the other hand, if the craze lines occur due to atypical behavior such as grinding & clenching teeth, it can be prevented to a great extent with appliances like night guards.
In essence, a dental consultation is essential when you notice the sudden appearance of the tiny lines on your teeth.
