Cracked Teeth | Fishers IN

Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.

Chewing can cause minor movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain.

Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and the tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.

Are You Worried About a Cracked Tooth?

We can examine your cracked teeth and determine the best treatment to relieve pain.

Call us: 317.570.9000

Types of Cracks

Teeth with craze lines

Craze lines

These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.

A tooth with a fractured cusp

Fractured Cusp

When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.

A tooth with a treatable crack

Treatable Cracked Tooth

This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace.

In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.

A tooth that is split across its entire length

Split Tooth

A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved.

Sometimes, endodontic retreatment by the doctors and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.

A vertical fracture starting at the tooth's root

Vertical Root Fracture

A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed.

Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise, the tooth will have to be extracted.

Endodontic Specialists

5 out of 5 stars based on 13 Cracked Tooth reviews.

Patient Review by William l

Answered several phone calls about changing symptoms which I really appreciated.

- William l

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Jayne G

Felt like the doctor took his time explaining my situation to me and answered all my questions.

- Jayne G

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Bob F

Very professional

- Bob F

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Jennifer K

Very professional and courteous to the patient from start to finish.

- Jennifer K

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Scott Y

Excellent

- Scott Y

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Scott Y

Excellent, very thorough friendly staff

- Scott Y

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Stacie F

I ended up not needing the procedure for which I was originally referred. Can't tell you how much I appreciate Dr. Vail's honesty and suggested next steps. Very refreshing!

- Stacie F

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Vickie W

Thank you so much

- Vickie W

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Mindy H

Always an amazing endo group! I wouldn’t let my family or friends go to any other endodontist...the Dr.’s and staff here are the absolute best!

- Mindy H

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Chris M M

A fine experience.

- Chris M M

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by David H

Really appreciated the phone call follow up from the Doctor

- David H

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Dean M

Ended up just being a consult, but I was extremely impressed by the whole practice.

- Dean M

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Abel G

Everyone was very professional.

- Abel G

5 out of 5 stars on