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Treatment for Cracked or Chipped Tooth

Cracked or chipped tooth treatment is used to repair and save a tooth that is cracked before it gets infected or becomes too deep that it becomes untreatable.  Treatment depends of the location, type and extent of the crack tooth.

Saving the natural tooth has the following advantages;

  • Allows more efficient chewing
  • Normal biting force and sensation
  • More natural appearance
  • Protects other teeth from excessive strain

Causes of Cracked or Chipped Tooth

  • overuse due to age (common in people over the age of 50)
  • chewing on hard foods
  • grinding your teeth at night
  • trauma or injury

Symptoms of Cracked Tooth

  • Pain when chewing or biting (sometimes pain on release of the bite)
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Pain which comes and goes for few week
  • Sometimes no symptoms at all

Types of Cracked Teeth

  • Fractured cusp (where the chewing surface breaks off)
  • Split tooth
  • Vertical Root Fracture

Click to view See3Communication AAE video on Cracked Tooth

What to expect during treatment for Cracked Tooth

  • X-ray or a dye test to identify the type, location and extent of the cracked tooth.  If the crack is too deep, the tooth may not be salvageable
  • An access hole will then be drilled into the tooth so that the dental pulp, debris and any bacteria can be removed from the tooth
  • The tooth will sealed on the same day or on a separate occasion at a later date.  A temporary filing will be placed to close the tooth in the meantime until the next visit
  • For cracked tooth, it is advisable to have a crown done soon after the Root Canal Treatment

Post Treatment Care

  • Avoid drinking or eating for the first 2-3 hours after the treatment because your tooth and lips may be still numbed from the anaesthesia
  • You may feel some mild discomfort or tingling sensitive feeling for the first few days.  Do take the pain killers medication prescribed by your dentist or apply ice pack on the first day
  • Avoid chewing on the side of the treated tooth until your endodontic treatment has been completed or your tooth has been covered with protective restoration by your dentist.  It is advisable to have soft diet for the first few days
  • Avoid exercise on the day of surgery. You should be able return to work or other activities the next day
  • Practise good teeth hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly to prevent further infection to your other teeth

See your dentist if your pain suddenly gets worse, if the temporary crown or filling comes off or if there is swelling inside or around your mouth or you develop a sudden fever


Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. 

If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.

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