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Locate the crack
You bite on a small plastic tool, one cusp at a time, until the sore one is found. The dentist checks how deep it runs and whether the nerve is involved.
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Cracked Tooth: Why It Hurts When You Bite and How It Is Fixed
A crack in a tooth is often invisible, even on an X-ray, but the pain when you release a bite gives it away. Left alone, it travels toward the root and may make the tooth unsavable.
1-855-219-4656 Is a cracked tooth an emergency?
It should be treated within a day or two, sooner if it hurts. Call 1-855-219-4656 and a partner dentist can see you today. Every chew flexes the crack open and lets bacteria deeper into the tooth. A crack that has reached the nerve causes constant pain and needs a root canal, and one that runs below the gum usually means extraction. Getting a crown on early stops both.
Cracked teeth are frustrating because they hide. You may have spent weeks avoiding one side of your mouth without being able to point to the culprit. A dentist can usually find the crack in a single visit and protect the tooth before it splits for good.
How a cracked tooth feels
- A sharp jab when biting down on something, and often a second jab when you let go
- Pain that comes and goes rather than a constant ache, which is the classic pattern
- Sensitivity to cold and sweet that seems to come from one tooth you cannot pinpoint
- A tooth that hurts only at a certain angle or on one specific food, such as nuts or crusty bread
- A visible line on the tooth, or a piece that shifts slightly when you press it with your tongue
Cracks range from harmless surface lines in the enamel to a split tooth where the halves move apart. Where the crack runs decides the treatment. The dentist uses a bite test, a bright light and sometimes magnification to find it, because standard X-rays often miss cracks.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Chew on the opposite side and choose soft food until you are seen | Do not test the tooth by biting on it to see if it still hurts |
| Take ibuprofen as labeled to reduce the inflammation around the nerve | Do not clench or grind. If you do this at night, mention it to the dentist |
| Cover any sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect your tongue | Do not try to glue or file the tooth yourself |
| Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and a warm salt water rinse | Do not ignore it because the pain is intermittent. Intermittent is how cracks behave |
How the dentist fixes a cracked tooth
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Stabilize the tooth
For cracks above the gum, the tooth is prepared for a crown that holds the halves together. A temporary crown goes on the same day. See broken tooth repair for what to expect.
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Treat the nerve if needed
If the crack has reached the pulp, a root canal is done before the crown. A crack that extends under the bone means the tooth is removed and replacement options are discussed.
Cracked tooth treatment costs
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Composite bonding (minor crack) | $150–$500 |
| Temporary crown | $90–$300 |
| Permanent crown | $800–$2,000 |
| Root canal (if the crack reaches the nerve) | $700–$1,500 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Broken tooth repair, Emergency root canal, Emergency tooth extraction.
Cracked Tooth FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is a cracked tooth an emergency?
It is urgent rather than life-threatening. Book within a day or two, and the same day if you have sharp pain on biting or a piece that moves. Waiting lets the crack grow, and a deeper crack is a more expensive fix.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
No. Tooth enamel and dentin do not knit back together the way bone does. The crack stays and usually lengthens with normal chewing. Only a restoration can hold it stable.
Why does it hurt when I let go of the bite, not when I bite down?
As you bite, the crack opens slightly and fluid inside the tooth moves. When you release, it snaps shut and the fluid rushes back, which stimulates the nerve. That release pain is the signature of a crack.
Will a filling fix a cracked tooth?
Rarely. A filling sits inside the tooth and can act like a wedge. A crown wraps around the outside and holds the pieces together, which is why it is the usual treatment.
How much does a cracked tooth cost to fix?
A crown runs $800 to $2,000. If the crack has reached the nerve, add $700 to $1,500 for a root canal. A shallow crack repaired with bonding is $150 to $500. The exam and X-ray are separate.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Crowns, ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies. Editorial policy.
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