Your complete guide to cracked tooth repair options
There's nothing quite like the sudden, sharp zing of pain that shoots through your jaw when you bite down on something hard. It’s alarming, confusing and often leaves you tentatively touching your tooth with your tongue, wondering if you just imagined it. If the pain disappears as quickly as it arrived, it’s tempting to shrug it off and go about your day.
But that fleeting pain is often the body's way of waving a red flag. It could be a sign of a cracked tooth, a condition that is notoriously difficult to self-diagnose but vital to treat early. Unlike a broken bone that heals itself, a cracked tooth will not fuse back together on its own.
Addressing dental crack repair promptly is the difference between saving your natural tooth and losing it to an extraction. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, our goal is always to save your natural smile. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about identifying a crack, the treatment options available and how we can help you get back to living pain-free.
Understanding the causes of cracked teeth
Your teeth are incredibly strong, but they aren't indestructible. A crack can happen to anyone at any age, though it is more common in adults over the age of 50. Understanding why cracks occur can help you take preventative measures in the future.
Common causes include:
Chewing on hard objects: Ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels or fruit stones are common culprits.
Bruxism: This is the technical term for chronic teeth grinding or clenching. Over time, the pressure weakens the tooth structure.
Trauma: A blow to the mouth from a sports injury, fall or accident.
Large fillings: Restoration work that covers a significant portion of the tooth can weaken the remaining natural structure.
Temperature extremes: Eating hot food and drinking ice water immediately after can cause the enamel to expand and contract rapidly, leading to hairline fractures.
Not all cracks are the same
The strategy for repairing cracked tooth issues depends entirely on the type of crack and its location.
Craze lines: These are tiny, superficial cracks in the enamel. They're pretty common in adults, cause no pain and generally require no treatment.
Fractured cusp: This happens when a piece of a tooth's chewing surface breaks off. It rarely damages the pulp and usually requires a crown or bonding.
Cracked tooth: A crack extends from the chewing surface vertically toward the root. If the crack extends into the pulp, endodontic treatment is usually necessary.
Split tooth: If a cracked tooth is left untreated, it can split into distinct segments. At this stage, the tooth often cannot be saved intact.
Vertical root fracture: These cracks begin in the root of the tooth and extend upward. They often show minimal symptoms until the surrounding bone and gum become infected.
Symptoms you shouldn't ignore
Cracked teeth are known for being elusive. The crack may not be visible to the naked eye, and it might not even show up on a standard 2D X-ray (which is why seeing an endodontist is key; more on that in a moment). This is why knowing the symptoms is so important.
If you have a crack, you might experience:
Erratic pain: Sharp pain when chewing or biting, particularly when you release bite pressure.
Temperature sensitivity: Pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold.
Intermittent discomfort: The pain may come and go, making it easy to dismiss.
Swelling: Localized swelling of the gum around the affected tooth.
Immediate actions if you suspect a crack
If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, you may be frantically searching online for "how to heal cracked tooth at home". It's important to know that you cannot heal a crack with home remedies. However, you can manage the discomfort and protect the tooth until you can see a professional.
Here is what you should do immediately:
Practice gentle hygiene: Keep the area clean by rinsing with warm water.
Manage the pain: Use over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.
Modify your diet: Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth entirely. Stick to soft foods like yogurt, soup and smoothies. Avoid anything hard, chewy or sticky that could deepen the fracture.
Why you need a professional evaluation from an endodontist
Diagnosing a cracked tooth requires a professional's eye. Because cracks can be microscopic or hidden beneath the gum line, a general dentist may refer you to an endodontist.
As specialists in diagnosing and treating tooth pain, endodontists have advanced training and technology that allows us to see what others might miss. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, we utilize 3D CBCT imaging. This advanced technology gives us a three-dimensional view of your tooth, allowing us to determine the depth and angle of the crack with incredible precision.
Treatment options for cracked tooth repair
The treatment plan we recommend depends on the severity of the damage. Our priority is always to save your natural tooth whenever possible.
Dental bonding
For minor chips or cracks that only affect the outer enamel, dental bonding is often sufficient. We use a tooth-colored resin to fill the crack, restoring the tooth’s shape and appearance.
Crowns
If the crack is significant but hasn't reached the nerve, a crown is the most common solution. A crown acts like a helmet for your tooth, holding the structure together and preventing the crack from spreading further when you chew.
Root canal therapy
If the crack has penetrated deep enough to irritate the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), the tooth will become sensitive and painful. In this case, repairing cracked tooth issues requires root canal therapy.
During this procedure, we remove the inflamed or infected pulp, clean the inside of the tooth and seal it. This resolves the pain and saves the structure of the tooth. Following the root canal, a crown is placed to provide maximum protection.
Extraction
In severe cases, such as a split tooth infection where the crack extends below the gum line and separates the tooth, saving the tooth may no longer be possible. Extraction is always our last resort. If extraction is necessary, we will discuss replacement options like dental implants or bridges to restore your smile.
Aftercare and maintaining your repair
Once your tooth has been treated, taking care of it is essential to ensure longevity. A repaired tooth can function just like a natural tooth for years, provided you maintain good oral hygiene.
Brush and floss: Brush twice a day and floss daily to prevent decay around the restoration.
Wear a night guard: If you grind your teeth at night, ask us about a custom night guard. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent future cracks.
Avoid bad habits: Don't chew on ice, pens or hard objects.
The long-term outlook
The prognosis for a cracked tooth varies. A crack treated early with a crown often provides a lifetime of comfortable chewing. However, it's important to remember that a crack is a structural weakness. Even with the best treatment, complications can occasionally arise.
Regular check-ups allow us to monitor the tooth. If you notice a return of pain or sensitivity in a previously treated tooth, contact us immediately. Early intervention is always easier and more effective than waiting until the problem escalates.
Let WFWE help you with your cracked tooth repair
A cracked tooth is a ticking clock. The longer it's left untreated, the deeper the crack can travel, increasing the risk of a split tooth infection and eventual tooth loss.
If you are experiencing sharp pain when biting or sensitivity to temperature, don't wait for the pain to become constant. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Nieves or Dr. Fitzhugh here at West Fort Worth Endodontics today. We're here to get you out of pain and keep your natural smile intact.