Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard food or ice, or by biting on an unexpected hard object.  Teeth with or without restorations may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical silver-alloy restorations are most susceptible.

Symptoms and Signs of Cracked Teeth (some or all of the following):

• ·        pain while chewing;
• ·        pain upon cold air application;
• ·        unsolicited pain (usually leakage of sugar into a tooth crack);

Treatment of Cracked Teeth:

Simple Crack.  The majority of cracked teeth—about 9 out of every 10—can be treated by placement of a simple crown (cap) on the tooth.  When the tooth is prepared for the crown, and a temporary restoration is placed, the pain usually leaves immediately.  If this is the case with your tooth, we will place the final crown on your next appointment, and the condition should be resolved.

Complex Crack.  Occasionally – about 1 in 10 – a crack is pronounced or severe enough to access the pulp (nerve) of the tooth.  If pain persists after placement to the temporary crown, you may have such a crack into the pulp of the affected tooth.  To verify, please call us.  The tooth may require endodontics (root canal therapy) before the crown is placed.