Dental Crowns
One-visit CEREC crowns that hold a cracked tooth together.
About crownsCracks and chips
What should I do about a cracked tooth?
Cracks don't heal, and chewing on one makes it grow. If you felt something crack, or biting sends a sharp jolt, stop chewing on that side, rinse gently, and call. Caught early, most cracked teeth are saved with bonding or a crown. (Early is the key word here.)
Why cracks are so sneaky.
A crack can be as small as a craze line in the enamel or deep enough to split the root. The sneaky part? Cracked teeth often look normal and hurt only under pressure, then release. That bite-and-release pain is the classic signal, and it's worth acting on: a crack that reaches the nerve turns a simple crown into a root canal, and one that splits below the gum can cost the tooth.
Grinding, ice chewing, large old fillings, and plain bad luck cause most cracks. Dr. Little checks bite pressure tooth by tooth and uses magnification to find cracks that hide from the naked eye. Then she walks you through the honest options.
How urgent is it
How fast should you act?
Call today
A visible break, a sharp edge cutting your tongue, pain on every bite, or new sensitivity that keeps getting worse.
This week is fine
A suspected crack with occasional twinges when you bite and no swelling. Stop chewing on that side and book the next comfortable opening.
Emergency room first
A crack from facial trauma with swelling, deep cuts, or a possible jaw injury. Get the injury treated first, then call us about the tooth.
What a fix costs.
Repair cost depends on how deep the crack goes: bonding for small chips, a crown for real cracks, and root canal treatment when the nerve is involved. Every path comes with a written estimate first, and PPO plans usually share the cost at out-of-network rates. Insurance details here.
Crack questions, answered.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
No. Enamel doesn't regrow, and chewing pressure works cracks deeper over time. Early repair is smaller, cheaper, and far more likely to save the tooth.
Why does my cracked tooth only hurt sometimes?
Cracks flex under pressure and pinch the nerve, then release. Cold and sweets can sneak into the crack too. On-and-off pain is the signature of a crack, not proof it's fine.
Will I need a crown?
Often, yes. A crown holds the tooth together so the crack can't spread. Many crowns here are designed and placed in a single CEREC visit.
What if the crack reaches the root?
A crack below the gumline usually can't be saved, and honesty matters here: if extraction is the right call, Dr. Little will say so and walk you through replacement options like bridges and implant restorations.
Felt a crack? Don't wait it out.
Request a time online or give us a call. Small cracks are the fixable kind.