Cracked Teeth
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Endodontists specialize in saving cracked teeth and will cater treatment to the type, location, and extent of the crack. The sooner your tooth is treated, the better the outcome. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function as they should, for many years of pain-free biting and chewing.
Fractured Cusp
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When a cusp (the pointed part of the chewing surface) becomes weakened, a fracture can develop. The weakened cusp may break off by itself or may have to be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal treatment is seldom needed. Your dentist will usually restore your tooth with a full crown. If you’ve cracked a tooth and breathing through your mouth or drinking cold fluids is painful, bite on clean, moist gauze or cloth to help relieve symptoms until reaching your dentist’s office. Never use topical oral pain medications (such as Anbesol®) or ointments, or place aspirin on the affected areas to eliminate pain symptoms. |
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Cracked Tooth
| This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth vertically towards the root. A cracked tooth is not completely separated into two distinct segments. Because of the position of the crack, damage to the pulp is common. Root canal treatment is frequently needed to treat the injured pulp. Your general dentist will help restore your tooth with a crown after the root canal in order to hold the pieces together and protect the cracked tooth.
At times, the crack may extend below the gingival tissue line. Early diagnosis is important. Even with high magnification and special lighting, it is sometimes difficult to determine the extent of a crack. A cracked tooth left untreated will only get worse, sometimes resulting in the loss of the tooth. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to save cracked teeth. |
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Split Tooth
| A split tooth is often the long-term result of a cracked tooth. A split tooth is identified by a crack with distinct segments that can be separated. Unfortunately, a split tooth cannot be saved intact. The position and extent of the crack, however, will determine whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. In some cases, endodontic treatment may be performed to save a portion of the tooth. |  |
Vertical Root Fracture
| Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of the tooth and extend toward the chewing surface. They often show minimal signs and symptoms and may, therefore, go unnoticed for some time. Vertical root fractures are often discovered when the surrounding bone and gum become infected. Treatment usually involves extraction of the tooth. |  |
Fractured Cusp
|
When a cusp (the pointed part of the chewing surface) becomes weakened, a fracture can develop. The weakened cusp may break off by itself or may have to be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal treatment is seldom needed. Your dentist will usually restore your tooth with a full crown. If you’ve cracked a tooth and breathing through your mouth or drinking cold fluids is painful, bite on clean, moist gauze or cloth to help relieve symptoms until reaching your dentist’s office. Never use topical oral pain medications (such as Anbesol®) or ointments, or place aspirin on the affected areas to eliminate pain symptoms. |
Cracked Tooth
|
This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth vertically towards the root. A cracked tooth is not completely separated into two distinct segments. Because of the position of the crack, damage to the pulp is common. Root canal treatment is frequently needed to treat the injured pulp. Your general dentist will help restore your tooth with a crown after the root canal in order to hold the pieces together and protect the cracked tooth. At times, the crack may extend below the gingival tissue line. Early diagnosis is important. Even with high magnification and special lighting, it is sometimes difficult to determine the extent of a crack. A cracked tooth left untreated will only get worse, sometimes resulting in the loss of the tooth. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to save cracked teeth. |
Split Tooth
| A split tooth is often the long-term result of a cracked tooth. A split tooth is identified by a crack with distinct segments that can be separated. Unfortunately, a split tooth cannot be saved intact. The position and extent of the crack, however, will determine whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. In some cases, endodontic treatment may be performed to save a portion of the tooth. |
Vertical Root Fracture
| Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of the tooth and extend toward the chewing surface. They often show minimal signs and symptoms and may, therefore, go unnoticed for some time. Vertical root fractures are often discovered when the surrounding bone and gum become infected. Treatment usually involves extraction of the tooth. |
Understanding Cracked Tooth Symptoms and Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for cracked teeth.
How do I know if my tooth is cracked?
What if my tooth is chipped?
Chipped teeth account for the majority of dental injuries. Most chipped teeth can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece of tooth enamel or by bonding a tooth-colored filling or crown in place. See your dentist as soon as possible after the injury to treat your chipped tooth and keep it from worsening.
After treatment for a cracked tooth, will my tooth completely heal?
The treatment you receive for your cracked tooth is important because it will relieve pain and reduce the likelihood that the crack will worsen. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing. Talk to your endodontist about your particular diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Why does a cracked tooth hurt?
To understand why a cracked tooth hurts, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is the inner soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels.
When the outer hard tissues of the tooth are cracked, chewing can cause movement of the pieces, and the pulp can become irritated. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged to the point that it can no longer heal itself.
The tooth will not only hurt when chewing but may also become sensitive to temperature extremes. In time, a cracked tooth may begin to hurt all by itself. Extensive cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the tooth.
How will my cracked tooth be treated?
There are many different types of cracked teeth. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depend on the type, location, and extent of the crack.
Craze Lines
Craze lines are tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel. These cracks are extremely common in adult teeth. Craze lines are very shallow, cause no pain, and are of no concern beyond appearances.
What can I do to prevent my teeth from cracking?
- Don’t chew on hard objects such as ice, unpopped popcorn kernels or pens.
- Don’t clench or grind your teeth.
- If you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, talk to your dentist about getting a retainer or other mouthguard to protect your teeth.
- Wear a mouthguard or protective mask when playing contact sports.
Information from AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENDODONTISTS.
