How Teeth Crack
Teeth can crack from biting down on something hard, an injury to the mouth, large old fillings that weaken the tooth over time, or chronic grinding and clenching. Some cracks are so small they're only visible under magnification, while others are obvious right away. Cracks don't heal on their own, and they tend to worsen gradually with normal chewing, so timing matters even when a crack seems minor.
Signs You Might Have One
A cracked tooth often causes sharp pain when biting down, especially when you release the bite, along with sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets that comes and goes rather than staying constant. Some cracks cause no symptoms at all and are only found during an exam. If you feel a specific, repeatable pain when chewing in one spot, that's worth having checked.
How We Treat It
Treatment depends entirely on the crack's size, depth, and location. A minor surface crack may need nothing more than monitoring, while a moderate crack is often treated with a crown to hold the tooth together and prevent it from worsening. A crack that's reached the nerve may need a root canal first. Catching a crack early gives you the most options.
Questions About This?
We're always happy to talk through your specific situation in more detail — call us or book a visit anytime.