Cracked Teeth Treatment

As specialists in both saving teeth and treating dental pain, endodontists commonly provide care for patients with cracked or broken tooth issues. A cracked tooth may be caused by dental trauma, teeth grinding, or simple wear and tear. Cracked tooth pain from a crack could be constant or it might only be present when you bite and chew, creating sharp pain with biting pressure. Another common symptom of a cracked tooth is sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures affecting the dental pulp.

Types of cracked teeth can be difficult to identify, even by skilled dentists. Tooth cracks range from minor craze lines in only the outer enamel to more serious fractures. Some cracks affect the tooth's chewing surface breaks, while others like a vertical root fracture extend deeper into the tooth structure. A fractured cusp rarely damages the inner soft tissue called the pulp, while more extensive cracks can reach the soft tissue and blood vessels inside your tooth.

Endodontists have surgical microscopes and other advanced equipment that the average dentist does not have, which allows us to locate tiny cracks in teeth that are easily overlooked. Early diagnosis is critical for saving cracked teeth and preventing further damage to your natural tooth and surrounding bone.

Cracked or Broken Tooth Treatment Options

Treatment for a damaged tooth depends upon the location, type, and severity of the crack. A split tooth or one where the crack extends below the gum line may require tooth extraction and replacement with dental implants. Early treatment gives us the best chance to save your tooth from needing to be extracted and replaced.

In most cases, our team will be able to preserve your tooth through root canal therapy, removing the infected or inflamed pulp tissue, while your dentist can repair the exterior damage with a restoration.