A cracked tooth can happen when you least expect it. You might bite down on something hard, notice pain while chewing, or suddenly develop sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own? Unfortunately, a true crack in a tooth cannot naturally repair itself. While the discomfort may come and go, the damage can remain and potentially worsen over time.
Getting the tooth evaluated early can help protect it, prevent further damage, and determine the right treatment.
Why Can’t a Cracked Tooth Heal Itself?
Your teeth are incredibly strong, but they don’t heal the same way your bones or skin do.
Enamel, the hard outer layer of your tooth, does not contain living cells capable of rebuilding a true crack. Once the tooth structure has fractured, it cannot simply grow back together.
Sometimes the pain may disappear temporarily, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the crack has healed. The tooth may still be vulnerable to further damage or infection.
What Causes a Tooth to Crack?
Teeth can crack for several reasons, including:
Biting down on hard foods, ice, or objects
Grinding or clenching your teeth
Large or older dental fillings that weaken the remaining tooth structure
Trauma or an injury to the mouth
Sudden changes in temperature
Normal wear and tear over time
In some cases, you may not even know exactly when the crack happened.
What Does a Cracked Tooth Feel Like?
Not every cracked tooth causes constant pain. In fact, symptoms can be surprisingly inconsistent.
You may notice:
Pain when biting down or releasing your bite
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Discomfort when eating sweet foods
Pain that seems to come and go
Tenderness or discomfort around the affected tooth
Because these symptoms can also occur with cavities, damaged fillings, and other dental problems, a dental examination is important for determining what’s actually causing the discomfort.
Are All Tooth Cracks Serious?
No. The severity depends on the type, depth, and location of the crack.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, cracked teeth can take several different forms, ranging from superficial craze lines to more significant cracks and split teeth.
Learn more from the American Association of Endodontists
Craze Lines
These are tiny cracks that affect only the enamel. They’re common in adults and usually don’t cause pain. In many cases, treatment isn’t necessary unless there is a cosmetic concern.
Fractured Cusp
Part of the chewing surface of the tooth may break or weaken, often around a filling. Depending on the damage, your dentist may recommend a filling or dental crown to restore and protect the tooth.
Cracked Tooth
A crack can extend from the chewing surface toward the root. Early treatment is important because the crack may continue to spread and affect more of the tooth.
Split Tooth
If a crack progresses far enough, the tooth can separate into distinct sections. At this stage, saving the entire tooth may no longer be possible.
What Happens If You Ignore a Cracked Tooth?
A small crack can become a much larger dental problem.
Continued chewing pressure may cause the crack to spread deeper into the tooth. If bacteria reach the inner pulp, the tooth can become inflamed or infected.
At that point, treatment may become more extensive and could include root canal therapy, a dental crown, or, in severe cases, extraction.
This is why waiting for a cracked tooth to “heal” can potentially make the situation worse. Even if the pain temporarily disappears, the underlying damage may still be present.
How Does a Dentist Treat a Cracked Tooth?
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the crack and how much of the tooth has been affected.
Minor damage may only need monitoring or dental bonding. A larger crack may require a dental crown to strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure.
If the crack has reached the pulp inside the tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary before the tooth is restored.
If the tooth is severely split or the crack extends into an area that cannot be predictably restored, extraction may sometimes be recommended.
The goal is to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible whenever it can be successfully restored.
What Should You Do If You Think You Cracked a Tooth?
If you suspect that you’ve cracked a tooth, avoid chewing hard or crunchy foods on the affected side until you can see your dentist.
Don’t repeatedly test the tooth by biting down to see whether it still hurts. Additional pressure could potentially worsen the damage.
Most importantly, don’t wait for the tooth to repair itself.
The earlier a crack is diagnosed, the more treatment options may be available to protect the tooth and prevent further complications.
Get Your Cracked Tooth Checked at Modern Dental of Durham
A cracked tooth won’t naturally grow back together, but timely dental care may help prevent the crack from becoming a much bigger problem.
If you’re experiencing pain when chewing, temperature sensitivity, or think you may have damaged a tooth, Modern Dental of Durham can evaluate the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment based on your needs.
Don’t wait for a small crack to become a bigger dental problem. Schedule an appointment with Modern Dental of Durham today.