Understanding, Diagnosing, and Treating Tooth Cracks
A cracked tooth can be subtle in symptoms but serious in consequences if left untreated. At Irvine Endodontics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating cracks that compromise the health and integrity of your natural teeth—often helping to preserve them through expert endodontic care.
What Causes Cracked Teeth?
Cracks in teeth can occur due to:
- Biting down on hard foods (e.g., ice, nuts, hard candy)
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Large fillings that weaken the tooth structure
- Trauma or injury to the mouth
- Age-related wear (more common after age 50)
Cracked teeth don’t always show up clearly on X-rays, which is why a detailed clinical evaluation by an endodontist is crucial.
Signs & Symptoms
You may have a cracked tooth if you experience:
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Intermittent pain that comes and goes
- Swelling around the gum near a specific tooth
- Difficulty pinpointing the source of discomfort
Pain may worsen when pressure is released after biting—this is a hallmark sign of a cracked tooth.
Types of Tooth Cracks
There are several types of cracks, each with different implications:
- Craze Lines – Shallow, surface-level cracks in the enamel (usually cosmetic and harmless)
- Fractured Cusp – A piece of the tooth breaks off, often around a filling
- Cracked Tooth – A crack that extends from the chewing surface toward the root
- Split Tooth – A more severe crack that splits the tooth into segments
- Vertical Root Fracture – Begins in the root and may go undetected until surrounding tissues become inflamed
How We Treat Cracked Teeth
Early diagnosis is key. Our approach may include:
- Advanced imaging such as Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scans
- Microscopic evaluation for accurate crack detection
- Root Canal Therapy to remove damaged pulp and prevent infection
- Crown placement by your general dentist to protect and restore the tooth
- Tooth extraction only if the crack is too severe for repair
Our goal is always to save your natural tooth whenever possible.
Trust the Experts in Tooth Preservation
At Irvine Endodontics, we understand the complexity of diagnosing and treating cracked teeth. Our specialized training and advanced diagnostic tools enable us to catch issues early—and treat them effectively.
