How to Detect and Deal with a Cracked Tooth: What You Need to Know
Table of Contents
What Is a Cracked Tooth?
A cracked tooth is when your tooth gets a break or split. This can happen in many ways. You might get a small hairline crack or a big split tooth. Some cracks you can see. Some cracks you cannot see.
Cracks can happen when you:
- Bite hard food
- Grind your teeth at night
- Get hit in the face
- Chew ice or hard candy
- Have old, big fillings
A crack in your tooth is not good. It can let germs get in. It can make your tooth hurt. It needs to be fixed fast.
How to Know If You Have a Cracked Tooth
Look for These Signs
Do you feel pain when you:
- Bite down on food?
- Let go after biting?
- Eat hot or cold foods?
- Drink sweet drinks?
Other signs to look for:
- Pain that comes and goes
- Gums that look red or swollen
- A tooth that feels rough when you touch it with your tongue
- A tooth that hurts at night
Many people with cracked tooth syndrome feel sharp pain when they let go after biting down. This happens in 72% of cases.
Tests Your Dentist Will Do
Your dentist has special ways to find cracks:
- Bite test: You bite on a small tool called a “tooth sleuth” that helps find which part of your tooth hurts.
- Look with light: The dentist shines a bright light on your tooth. This shows cracks that are hard to see. This finds 97% of hairline cracks.
- Dye test: The dentist puts a special color on your tooth that goes into cracks to make them easy to see.
- X-rays: These can show some cracks, but not all. Only 40% of cracks show up on normal X-rays.
- CBCT scans: These are special 3D X-rays that can find 92% of cracks that regular X-rays miss.
What to Do Right Away
If you think you have a cracked tooth, here’s what to do:
DO:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
- Take pain medicine like ibuprofen
- Put dental wax on sharp edges (you can buy this at a drug store)
- Call your dentist for an appointment
- Eat soft foods only
DON’T:
- Chew on that side of your mouth
- Eat hard, sticky, or very hot or cold foods
- Wait too long to see a dentist
- Try to fix it yourself
- Use your teeth to open things
Types of Cracks and How They’re Fixed
1. Tiny Cracks (Craze Lines)
These are small cracks just in the enamel (outside layer).
How they’re fixed:
- Often need no treatment if they don’t hurt
- Polishing to smooth rough spots
- Dental bonding ($100-$400) to make them look better
90% of adults have these tiny cracks and don’t need treatment.
2. Medium Cracks (Into Dentin)
These cracks go deeper into the dentin (middle layer of tooth).
How they’re fixed:
- Dental crowns ($800-$1,500)
- Onlays for partial coverage
- Ceramic inlays and onlays for a natural look
A study shows that 89% of cracked teeth treated with crowns last at least 5 years without problems.
3. Deep Cracks (Into Pulp)
These cracks reach the nerve or pulp inside your tooth.
How they’re fixed:
- Root canal + crown ($1,200-$2,500)
- Extraction (taking out the tooth) if it can’t be saved
4. Split Tooth
This is when your tooth splits into two parts.
How it’s fixed:
- Sometimes part of the tooth can be saved
- Often needs extraction + replacement with an implant or bridge
5. Vertical Root Fracture
This crack starts in the root and goes up.
How it’s fixed:
- Almost always needs extraction
- Can be replaced with a dental implant
Cost of Fixing a Cracked Tooth
The cost depends on how bad the crack is:
| Treatment | Cost Range | Insurance Coverage | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonding | $100-$400 | Not much | 3-5 years |
| Crown | $800-$1,500 | 50-80% covered | 10-15 years |
| Root Canal + Crown | $1,200-$2,500 | 50-70% covered | 10+ years |
| Extraction | $75-$650 | 70-80% covered | N/A |
| Implant | $3,000-$5,000 | Some coverage | 20+ years to lifetime |
Waiting can cost more: A $1,000 crown now might save you from a $3,000+ implant later.
Can You Prevent Cracked Teeth?
Yes! Here’s how:
- Wear a custom dental guard at night if you grind your teeth. This can cut your risk by 65%.
- Don’t chew:
- Ice
- Hard candy
- Popcorn kernels
- Pen caps
- Fingernails
- Don’t use your teeth to:
- Open bottles
- Cut tape
- Hold things
- Get regular dental checkups to catch small cracks early.
- Fix misaligned bites that put too much stress on teeth.
Cracked Tooth Case Studies
Case 1: Early Action Saves a Molar
A patient felt sharp pain when biting an apple. She saw her dentist within 48 hours. The dentist found a crack and put on a crown. The tooth was saved with no need for a root canal.
Case 2: Delayed Treatment Leads to Extraction
A man felt pain when chewing but waited 6 weeks to see a dentist. By then, the crack had reached the nerve and caused an infection. The tooth could not be saved and had to be pulled out.
This shows why quick action matters! Studies say you should see a dentist within 72 hours for the best results.
Answers to Common Questions
“Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?”
No. Unlike bones, teeth cannot heal themselves. The crack will stay there or get worse without treatment.
“How long can I wait to fix a cracked tooth?”
You should see a dentist within 3 days. Every day you wait, the risk of infection goes up.
“Does a cracked tooth always hurt?”
No. Some cracks don’t hurt at first. But they can still let bacteria in.
“Can I fix a cracked tooth at home?”
No. Home fixes like glue are not safe. They can make things worse.
When to Get Help Right Away
Call a dentist right away if you have:
- Severe pain that won’t stop
- Swelling in your face or gums
- Fever with tooth pain
- A tooth that moves or feels loose
- Pain that keeps you from sleeping or eating
Special Cases: Cracked Tooth Under Crown
Sometimes a tooth with a crown can still crack. This happens in 21% of cases according to studies.
Signs include:
- New pain when biting
- Swollen gums around the crown
- The crown feels loose
If this happens, the dentist may need to:
- Remove the old crown
- Check the tooth for cracks
- Do a root canal if needed
- Put on a new crown
Who Is Most at Risk for Cracked Teeth?
You have a higher risk if you:
- Are over 50 (enamel gets weaker with age)
- Grind your teeth at night
- Play contact sports without a mouth guard
- Have large old fillings
- Had root canal treatment (teeth can get more brittle)
- Chew ice, hard candy, or other hard objects
People over 50 have 78% more cracks in their teeth than younger people.
Prevention for High-Risk People
If you’re at high risk:
- Get a custom night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Consider getting crowns on weak teeth before they crack.
- Use a sports mouth guard for contact sports.
- Ask your dentist about your bite and if it puts extra stress on teeth.
- Be extra careful about hard foods.
Conclusion
A cracked tooth needs quick care. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth. Look for signs like pain when chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold. See your dentist right away if you think you have a crack.
Remember:
- Most cracks don’t heal on their own
- Quick treatment saves teeth
- Prevention helps (night guards, avoiding hard foods)
- Regular dental checkups catch problems early
Your smile is worth protecting!
