Cracked Tooth: Symptoms, Treatment & When to Call a Dentist
A cracked tooth can cause sharp pain when you bite, sensitivity to hot or cold, or sometimes no obvious symptoms at all. If you think you may have cracked a tooth, having it evaluated early can help determine whether the tooth can be repaired and protected.
Think You Cracked a Tooth?
Call Cedar Hills Dental Care if you have pain when biting, new temperature sensitivity, a visible crack or broken piece of tooth, or unexplained tooth pain. A dental examination can help determine what happened and what treatment, if any, is needed.
What Does a Cracked Tooth Feel Like?
Cracked teeth do not always hurt continuously. One of the classic complaints is pain that appears when biting or chewing and then disappears when the pressure is released.
Symptoms can vary depending on the location and extent of the crack.
Sharp or sudden pain when biting or chewing
Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
Pain that comes and goes
Pain that is difficult to pinpoint to one tooth
A visible crack, chip or missing piece of tooth
Why Do Teeth Crack?
Teeth are remarkably strong, but they can crack when they are exposed to more force than the tooth structure can tolerate.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
- Biting or chewing hard foods or objects
- An injury or blow to the mouth
- Grinding or clenching the teeth
- Large existing fillings that leave less natural tooth structure
- Normal wear and weakening of teeth over time
Are All Tooth Cracks Serious?
No. Cracks can range from tiny surface lines in the enamel to deeper fractures that extend into the tooth or root.
Craze Lines
Craze lines are very small cracks limited to the outer enamel. They are common in adult teeth and usually do not cause pain or require treatment for dental health.
Fractured Cusp
A portion of the chewing surface can fracture, often around an existing filling. Depending on the amount of tooth structure involved, the tooth may be repaired and protected with a restoration such as a filling or crown.
Cracked Tooth
A crack may extend from the chewing surface toward the root. The earlier it is evaluated, the better the opportunity may be to protect the remaining tooth structure. Treatment depends on how far the crack extends and whether the pulp inside the tooth is affected.
Split Tooth or Root Fracture
More extensive fractures can make saving the entire tooth difficult or impossible. A dental examination and appropriate imaging help determine whether any portion of the tooth can be preserved or whether extraction should be considered.
How Is a Cracked Tooth Treated?
There is no single treatment for every cracked tooth. Dr. Christine Chin will evaluate the tooth, your symptoms and the location and extent of the damage before recommending treatment.
Depending on the situation, treatment may include:
- Monitoring a minor enamel craze line that is not causing problems
- Dental bonding or a filling for certain smaller areas of damage
- A dental crown to protect and stabilize a weakened tooth
- Root canal treatment when the crack has affected the pulp but the tooth can still be restored
- Extraction when the tooth is fractured so severely that it cannot predictably be saved
If extraction is necessary, tooth-replacement options can be discussed based on your individual needs.
Can a Cracked Tooth Heal on Its Own?
Unlike a broken bone, a crack in a tooth does not grow back together. That does not mean every crack requires major treatment, but a significant crack should be evaluated rather than waiting for it to repair itself.
When Should I Call a Dentist?
Call if you develop new pain when biting, persistent sensitivity, a visible crack or broken piece of tooth, or tooth pain that keeps returning.
If part of the tooth has broken off, avoid chewing on that side until the tooth can be evaluated.
Cracked Tooth Care Near Beaverton
Cedar Hills Dental Care has cared for more than 10,000 smiles since 1986. Dr. Christine Chin brings more than 35 years of dental experience to evaluating damaged and painful teeth, with an emphasis on explaining what is happening and helping patients understand their treatment options.
This information is intended for general dental education and is not a substitute for an examination or individualized dental advice.