Understanding Cracked Teeth, Veneer Wear, and Bite Forces: How Digital Scans Guide Long-Term Smile Care

Ever wonder why a crown or veneer can fail even when it looks perfectly fine? This blog explains how cracked teeth, veneer wear, and bite forces (often hidden to the naked eye) are identified using advanced digital scans at Midtown Dental Studio in Plantation, and why balancing your bite and preserving natural tooth structure is the key to making crowns and veneers last longer.
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At Midtown Dental Studio, we use advanced digital imaging to look beyond what’s visible during a regular exam, helping us catch small issues before they turn into pain, broken teeth, or more complex dental work. Crowns and veneers can be long-lasting, beautiful solutions, but they only truly succeed when your bite is balanced, the seal is strong, and as much of your natural tooth as possible is preserved.

Key Takeways: Even the best crowns and veneers can fail if underlying issues go unnoticed. Advanced digital imaging helps identify bite problems and structural risks early, so restorations are built to last, not just look good.

Why Are Crowns Used For Cracked Teeth?

Teeth that have cracks will often use crowns to help repair them. Cracked teeth typically cause discomfort and may not be easily identifiable upon examination by an X-ray or visual inspection. A digital scan may be used to detect cracks that run along the sides of a tooth and help establish integrity or strength of the remaining tooth structure to the surface. Once the crack is located, stabilisation of the tooth should be done to avoid further damage.

Crowns provide a "protective shell" for cracked teeth. Crowns stabilize a cracked tooth, which prevents the crack from continuing to grow larger. Technological advancements have improved methods of placing crowns, therefore enabling dentists to maintain as much healthy tooth structure as possible while giving the patient added strength and comfort.

Veneers: Why Do Some Hold Up Better Than Others?

The lifespan of a porcelain veneer greatly depends upon how well the resin bonds to the underlying tooth structure, and how they respond within the bite, as well as the forces the veneers are subjected to during chewing and clenching which cause some to hold up better than others.

Since lower veneers typically withstand compressive forces from the bite, there tends to be a greater evenness of force distribution, which results in a relatively stable lower veneer. It is not uncommon for older lower veneers to become stained slightly or develop mild gum recession all of which do not necessarily warrant replacing the veneer.

Due to the dynamics between the upper veneers and natural teeth, upper veneers tend to be more subject to wear and eventual failure than do lower. As separation occurs between the porcelain veneer and natural tooth there is a risk of leakage around the edge of the veneer, allowing bacteria to enter underneath and creating a potential source of decay, although the veneer itself may still appear cosmetically acceptable from the front.

Bite Forces: The Hidden Cause of Veneer and Crown Failure

How your teeth fit in your mouth is an important aspect of cosmetic dentistry that's often overlooked. A digital bite analysis shows an increased amount of force on the front teeth with most patients clenching their teeth together too much.

If a veneer or crown receives too much of the force from your clenching, you risk the veneer/crack/chipping and separating from the tooth altogether. You are also at risk of premature wear and failure or breakage of the restoration.

The best way for front teeth is to be lightly touching each other and not taking the majority of the bite force. And, patients may still continue to clench during the day even if they wear a night guard, which adds additional stress to the restoration.

When Selective Replacement Makes Sense

Not every veneer or crown needs to be replaced simultaneously as part of a treatment plan. The treatment plan should include consideration of the amount of smile exposed while speaking to the patient or smiling. Next, the plan should consider whether the teeth are noticeably different in color or width, which ones have a structural defect or a structural compromise, and which ones have long-term bite stability.

Often, when a dentist recommends that the patient replace the compromised veneer(s) or place a crown on the tooth that has the most structural compromise, a dentist provides the patient with a more conservative and predictable outcome than having the patient replace all of the smile at once. Additionally, a dentist’s thoughtful planning also provides an opportunity to adjust later when it is appropriate to make adjustments rather than provide limited options to the patient.

A Conservative, Preventive Approach to Smile Longevity

As Dr. David Amador emphasizes, modern dentistry focuses on prevention and preservation. Using digital scans to identify early breakdown allows treatment to be done at the right time, before small issues turn into major procedures.

Addressing cracks, leakage, and bite imbalances early helps:

• Protect existing dental work
• Preserve natural tooth structure
• Reduce the risk of future fractures
• Extend the life of crowns and veneers

Final Thoughts

Crowns and veneers are long-term investments in your smile, but their success depends on accurate diagnosis, proper bite alignment, and ongoing monitoring. With advanced digital imaging and a personalized approach, Midtown Dental Studio helps patients maintain strong, healthy, and confident smiles for years to come.