Problems we treat
Cracked Tooth: What to Do, and How It's Repaired
A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth is usually worth a same-day call, because getting seen quickly is often what decides whether the tooth can be saved. The repair depends on how deep the damage goes: a small chip may need only bonding, a larger crack a crown, and a crack that reaches the nerve a root canal before it is restored. Dr. Kathia Steel, a board-certified prosthodontist in Preston Center, will tell you plainly what your tooth needs. To be seen for a broken tooth, call (214) 369-9000 early in the day.
What's happening when a tooth cracks
Cracks range widely. A shallow craze line in the enamel may never cause trouble; a chipped edge is cosmetic or minor; a crack running into the tooth can flex under biting and cause a sharp, fleeting pain when you bite down or release. Deeper still, a crack can reach the pulp, the nerve inside, which brings lingering pain or sensitivity to hot and cold, or split the tooth in a way that cannot be saved. Teeth that are heavily filled, that have had a root canal, or that take years of grinding are generally more prone to cracking. Because you cannot see how deep a crack goes from the outside, an exam, often with an X-ray, is what tells you which of these you have.
What to do right now
- Call the office the same day at (214) 369-9000. A cracked or broken tooth is usually something to address quickly. Same-day and urgent care.
- Save any broken piece if you can, and keep it moist.
- Ease it in the meantime with a cold compress for swelling and over-the-counter pain relief; avoid chewing on that side.
- For a knocked-out tooth or a severe injury, this is time-sensitive; call immediately, and for a severe facial injury or bleeding that won't stop, go to the nearest emergency department first, then follow up with the office.
The repair options, smallest first
Once Dr. Steel sees how deep the damage goes, the repair matches it:
- Bonding. A small chip or shallow crack can often be repaired in one visit with tooth-colored composite bonded to the tooth. It is the least involved fix and can be redone later. Dental bonding.
- A crown. A larger crack, or a tooth with too little sound structure left for a filling, is usually restored with a crown that wraps and holds the tooth together. Crowns and bridges.
- Root canal, then a crown. When a crack has reached the nerve, the tooth may need a root canal before it is restored. Root canals are referred to trusted endodontists; Dr. Steel diagnoses the problem, arranges the referral, and restores the tooth afterward, so your care comes back to one place.
- Extraction and replacement. If a tooth is split too far to save, it may have to come out. Extractions are co-managed with a surgical specialist, and Dr. Steel then plans the replacement, whether a bridge, a denture, or an implant restoration. Removing a tooth is the last resort here, considered only when it truly cannot be kept. Replacing a missing tooth.
Which page to read next
- Small chip or cosmetic edge: dental bonding.
- A tooth that needs to be capped: crowns and bridges.
- A tooth that may not be savable, and what comes next: missing teeth options.
- What to expect if it's urgent: same-day care.
Why a prosthodontist for a cracked tooth
Deciding whether a cracked tooth can be saved, and restoring it so it lasts, is core prosthodontic work; Dr. Steel has been board-certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics since 2010. More about her background.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?
Usually it is worth a same-day call, because prompt treatment often decides whether the tooth can be saved. Call (214) 369-9000 early in the day. For a severe injury or bleeding that won't stop, go to the emergency department first, then follow up. Urgent care details.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
Many can, especially when seen early. A small crack may need only bonding or a crown; a crack into the nerve may need a root canal first. A tooth is removed only when it is split too far to restore, and Dr. Steel will tell you honestly which case yours is.
Does a cracked tooth always need a crown?
Not always. A shallow crack or a chip can often be repaired with bonding, while a deeper crack usually needs a crown to hold the tooth together. The depth of the crack, which an exam reveals, decides it.
My tooth doesn't hurt but it's chipped. Do I still need to come in?
It is worth a look. A chip that seems minor can hide a deeper crack, and even a purely cosmetic chip is simple to repair with bonding. An exam confirms whether it needs treatment now or can wait.
Ready to talk it through?
Call (214) 369-9000 or request an appointment. We'll call you within one business day to find the right appointment.
Kathia Steel, D.D.S., M.S., P.A. · 8117 Preston Rd #170, Dallas, TX 75225 (Preston Center) · (214) 369-9000