What Is a Cracked Tooth?
A cracked tooth is a common dental problem that ranges from minor surface lines to deep fractures that extend into the root. The severity and location of the crack determine the symptoms, which may include sharp pain when biting, sensitivity to temperature changes, or intermittent discomfort that is difficult to localize. Without treatment, a cracked tooth can worsen over time, potentially leading to pulp infection, abscess, or tooth loss.
Cracked Tooth Treatment: Quick Facts
Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
Number of visits | 1 for diagnosis; 2 or more for a crown |
Time needed | Varies with the treatment needed |
Anesthesia | Local anesthesia for treatment |
Recovery time | None to a few days |
How long it lasts | Depends on the depth of the crack; best when treated early |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Signs of a Cracked Tooth
Cracks are hard to find because they often do not show on X-rays and the pain comes and goes. The pattern of symptoms is usually the best clue.
Sharp pain when you bite, especially as you release
Pain with cold that comes and goes
Discomfort you cannot pin to one tooth
A tooth with a large old filling
A history of clenching or grinding
Cracked Tooth Treatment at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, cracked tooth diagnosis and treatment is managed by Dr. Alex Rubinshtein, who uses advanced diagnostic tools including digital imaging, transillumination, and clinical evaluation to identify the type, location, and extent of the fracture. Not all cracks are visible to the eye, and not all cracks require the same treatment. Dr. Alex determines the most appropriate course of action based on whether the crack has reached the pulp, the degree of structural compromise, and the long-term prognosis for the tooth.
What to Expect, Step by Step
History. We ask exactly when and how it hurts.
Bite test. You bite on a small instrument, one cusp at a time.
Light and dye. A bright light or dye shows the crack line.
Imaging. X-rays or 3D imaging check the root and bone.
Treatment. The tooth is stabilized with bonding, an onlay or a crown, with a root canal if the pulp is involved.
Types of tooth crack
Type | Description | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
Craze lines | Fine lines in the enamel only | None needed |
Fractured cusp | A corner of the tooth breaks off | Onlay or crown |
Cracked tooth | A crack from the biting surface toward the root | Crown, with a root canal if the pulp is affected |
Split tooth | The crack has divided the tooth | Extraction of part or all of the tooth |
Vertical root fracture | A crack starting in the root | Usually extraction |
A crack never heals and usually grows. The earlier it is found, the more of the tooth there is to save.
Recovery and Aftercare
After your visit
The first 24 hours
Avoid chewing on the tooth
Stay away from very hot, cold or hard foods
Take pain relief as needed
The following days and weeks
Have the recommended crown placed promptly
Wear a nightguard if you grind
Do not chew ice, hard candy or pens
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
Pain becomes constant
Swelling appears
A piece of the tooth breaks off
Treatment Options
Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the crack. Minor cracks that have not reached the pulp may be managed with a dental crown to hold the tooth together and prevent the fracture from spreading. When the crack extends into the pulp chamber, root canal therapy is needed to remove the compromised tissue before the tooth is restored. In the most severe cases, where the crack extends below the bone level or splits the tooth vertically, extraction may be the only option.
Cost and Insurance
The fee depends on how far the crack reaches: a crack in the outer tooth may need only a crown, while one that reaches the nerve also needs a root canal. Bite tests, X-rays and sometimes three-dimensional imaging are used to trace it. Many plans pay part of the crown and any root canal as restorative care, while a tooth that cannot be saved is priced as an extraction.
What affects the cost
The tooth being treated: front tooth, premolar or molar
Whether it is a first treatment or a retreatment
The restoration needed afterward, usually a core and crown
3D imaging, if required
Most dental plans contribute to root canal treatment and to the crown that follows. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
