Can A Cracked Tooth Heal On Its Own?

A cracked tooth is a common occurrence, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. You may wonder if treatment is necessary. Can a cracked tooth heal on its own? Learn what to do if you find yourself in this situation. 

How To Tell If You Have a Cracked Tooth 

In some cases a cracked tooth is obvious, such as when a large piece breaks off or if a tooth breaks in half. But in many cases a small crack is harder to detect. Here are the common symptoms of a cracked tooth:

• Pain that comes and goes. A crack you can’t see often makes itself known through intermittent pain. 
• Pain when chewing. You may also experience pain when chewing if there is an undetected crack in a tooth. 
• Extreme sensitivity. A crack in a tooth allows extreme temperature changes to reach the nerves inside the tooth, causing sensitivity. 
• Swelling of the gums. An infection can develop due to a cracked tooth that may cause the gum tissue to swell around the infected tooth. 
• Discoloration of the tooth. Dental trauma can cause a crack in the tooth as well as internal bleeding that can lead to discoloration, such as a gray or brown color. 

Does a Cracked Tooth Always Need Treatment? 

A cracked tooth will not heal on its own and will need to be treated. Tooth enamel is not capable of regeneration, meaning that the crack will not close up. The longer a cracked tooth goes untreated, the higher the chance that an infection will develop. This reduces the chances of saving the tooth. 

Treatment For Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth are typically treated with root canal therapy and a crown. The root canal removes the soft tissue from inside the tooth to ensure that any infection is eliminated. Then the tooth is filled with a replacement material that is resistant to infection. A crown is placed over the tooth to protect the remaining portion of the tooth and the root. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cracked Teeth

Why Can’t a Cracked Tooth Be Filled? 

A filling is simply not an effective treatment for a cracked tooth. If composite material is used to fill in the crack, it is more likely to worsen and spread. The best option is to file down the tooth to completely eliminate the crack and cover the tooth with a crown. 

Can a Cracked Tooth Always Be Saved? 

In some cases a cracked tooth may not be saved. If the crack begins or extends under the gums it cannot be restored with a crown. A split tooth that is essentially broken in half is too damaged to be saved in most cases. 

Why See an Endodontist for a Cracked Tooth? 

An endodontist specializes in treating teeth that are at risk for infection. A tooth that is cracked is at a particularly high risk of infection because bacteria can enter the root canal through the crack and infect the soft tissue at the center. 

Advanced Endodontics has the technology and expertise to detect even the smallest cracks and provide the necessary treatment to save teeth. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.