Signs You Have a Cracked Tooth
- Sharp pain when you bite or release pressure.
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
- Intermittent pain without a clear cause.
- Swelling of the gum around one tooth.
- A rough or sharp edge your tongue detects.
Types of Tooth Cracks
- Craze lines: Tiny lines in the outer enamel. They usually cause no pain and need no treatment.
- Fractured cusp: A break in the chewing surface, often around a large filling. It rarely affects the pulp.
- Cracked tooth: A crack runs from the chewing surface toward the root. Early treatment improves the chance of saving the tooth.
- Split tooth: A crack divides the tooth into separate segments. In some cases, your dentist can save part of the tooth.
- Vertical root fracture: A crack starts in the root and extends toward the chewing surface. Most need extraction.
How to Fix a Cracked Tooth: Professional Treatment Options
Your dentist selects a treatment based on the size, depth, and location of the crack. X-rays and 3D imaging help your dentist see how far the crack extends.
Dental Bonding
For minor cracks and chips, your dentist applies a composite resin in your natural tooth shade. The dentist shapes the resin, hardens it with a curing light, and polishes the surface. Bonding takes one visit and requires little to no enamel removal.
Dental Crown
A dental crown covers the entire visible part of the tooth. It holds the cracked sections together and stops the crack from spreading. Dentists recommend a crown for cracks deeper than the enamel and for teeth with large fillings. Digital scanners and office milling machines allow some dentists to place a crown in one visit. Learn more about getting dental crowns in one day.
Root Canal Treatment
When a crack reaches the pulp, bacteria infect the nerve and blood vessels inside the tooth. A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans the canals, and seals the tooth. Your dentist then places a crown to protect the treated tooth. Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable during the procedure.
Extraction and Tooth Replacement
If the crack extends below the gum line or splits the root, your dentist removes the tooth. A replacement restores chewing function and stops nearby teeth from shifting.
What to Do Before Your Dental Appointment
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the area.
- Take a nonprescription pain reliever as directed on the label.
- Hold a cold compress against your cheek for 15 minutes to reduce swelling.
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
- Avoid hard, sticky, hot, and cold foods.
- Cover a sharp edge with dental wax or sugarless gum.
Why You Should Not Delay Treatment
- Infection of the Pulp: Bacteria enter the crack and reach the pulp. The infection inflames the nerve, causing throbbing pain, sensitivity, and tenderness.
- Dental Abscess: An untreated pulp infection spreads to the root tip. Pus then collects in the gum or jawbone, causing swelling.
- A Split Tooth: Chewing forces push the crack deeper with each bite. The tooth eventually divides into pieces, which limits your treatment options.
- Tooth Loss: A crack below the gum line or through the root leaves nothing to restore. Your dentist then removes the tooth.
How to Prevent Cracked Teeth
- Wear a Night Guard: Wear a custom night guard if you grind or clench your teeth.
- Protect Your Teeth During Sports: Wear a mouthguard during contact sports.
- Avoid Hard Foods and Objects: Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, pens, and popcorn kernels.
- Stop Using Your Teeth as Tools: Do not use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: Visit your dentist every six months for exams and cleanings.
Get the Right Treatment for Your Cracked Tooth
Schedule Your Cracked Tooth Evaluation
Biting pain needs a professional evaluation. Smile Boutique Group provides emergency and restorative dental care at our Beverly Hills and Northridge offices. Our team treats cracked teeth with bonding, crowns, root canal treatment, and dental implants, and offers IV sedation for anxious patients. Book your appointment today.
FAQs
Eat soft foods and chew on the opposite side until your appointment. Avoid hard, sticky, and extremely hot or cold foods.
