Cracked Teeth

Medically accurate 3D illustration

Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.

Chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.

5 Types of Cracked Teeth

Most cracked teeth fit into one of these five categories:

Craze lines

These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.

Fractured Cusp

When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.

Cracked Tooth

This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.

Split Tooth

A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, endodontic retreatment by the doctors and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.

Vertical Root Fracture

A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise the tooth will have to be extracted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fractured Teeth

Primary Causes

A Fractured Tooth is often the result of:

  1. Trauma
  2. Improper alignment of teeth when you bite (known as abnormal occlusion)

Regardless of the cause, cracks and fractures can be superficial, or they can extend deeper and lead to more complex problems.

How do you know if you have a fractured tooth?

As with most conditions, there are symptoms that indicate you may have a cracked tooth. The most common symptoms of a fractured tooth are:

  • Pain when biting or chewing.
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with your dentist or with Woodside Endodontics. We are experts in diagnosing and treating cracked teeth.

Scheduling Information
Scheduling Information

Our office is open Mon-Fri from 8AM until 4PM and can be reached at (650) 369-2555 or info@woodsideendo.com.

We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that very same day.

We try our best to stay on schedule to minimize your waiting. Our staff appreciates your understanding and patience in advance.

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"I needed a root canal done asap. Woodside Endodontics made an appointment for me the next day, without requiring an initial consultation. Having had root canals before, I had a lot of anxiety. Dr. An and Dr. Yang talked me through the procedure and helped me hang in there. The dental assistant was so understanding and held my hand to calm my nerves. About five minutes after getting the anesthesia, I started shaking and couldn't stop. Six days later I am doing fine. No bad effects from the root canal procedure. The swelling was nearly gone by the next morning."
Joan M.
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