Cracked Tooth Syndrome

What Is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Cracked tooth syndrome refers to an incomplete crack in a back tooth that causes sharp pain when biting and releasing, or sensitivity to cold that lingers. The crack is often invisible on X-rays and can be extremely difficult to diagnose. Cracks are caused by biting hard foods, grinding (bruxism), chewing ice, large fillings that weaken tooth structure, or trauma. Left untreated, cracks propagate deeper, eventually splitting the tooth or involving the pulp.

How It Works

Diagnosis involves bite tests (biting on a special stick to reproduce the pain), transillumination (light to visualize the crack), and dye staining. Treatment depends on crack depth: a crown to hold the tooth together for shallow cracks; root canal + crown if the pulp is involved; extraction if the crack extends below bone level.

Key Benefits

• Early diagnosis preserves more tooth structure
• A crown placed early can prevent the crack from propagating
• Resolves the often debilitating and diagnostic-challenging pain

Frequently Asked Questions