A cracked tooth can be one of the most frustrating dental problems. The pain may come only when you bite in a certain way or release, or when you eat something cold, and standard X-rays often do not show the crack at all. Left alone, small cracks can deepen and reach the pulp, so an early, accurate assessment really matters.
Dr. Leong evaluates cracked and fractured teeth with focused bite testing, magnification under the operating microscope, and, when helpful, cone beam 3D imaging that can reveal detail conventional films miss. The goal is to understand exactly how far the crack extends, because that determines whether the tooth can be saved and how.
Treatment depends on the type and depth of the crack. A crack that has reached the pulp but not split the tooth can often be treated with root canal therapy followed by a protective crown from your general dentist, which holds the tooth together and relieves the pain. Craze lines that affect only the outer enamel may need only monitoring. When a crack extends below the bone and the tooth cannot be predictably saved, we will tell you honestly and help you plan the next step with your dentist.
The most important message about cracked teeth is that time is not on your side. Catching a crack before it propagates gives us the best chance to preserve the tooth. If you have a tooth that hurts when you bite or is sharply sensitive to temperature, an evaluation now can save you a much bigger problem later.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person examination. An evaluation confirms whether cracked tooth treatment is right for your situation.
Benefits
- Accurate diagnosis of cracks that ordinary X-rays miss
- Microscope and 3D imaging to judge how far a crack extends
- Treatment that relieves pain and protects remaining structure
- Honest guidance on which teeth can and cannot be saved
- Early intervention that can prevent tooth loss
What happens during treatment
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Bite & symptom testing
We reproduce and localize the pain to understand how the tooth is cracking.
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Magnified evaluation
Under the microscope, and with 3D imaging when needed, we assess the crack’s depth and direction.
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Tailored plan
Depending on the crack, we may recommend root canal therapy and a crown, monitoring, or an honest referral.
What to expect at your visit
We take the time to reproduce your symptoms so we can localize the crack, then show you what we find and explain the realistic options. You will leave understanding the trade-offs, not just a single recommendation.
Is this right for you?
See us if you have sharp pain when biting or releasing, sensitivity to temperature that lingers, or a tooth that simply does not feel right. Cracked teeth are easier to save the sooner they are evaluated.
Why patients choose Ocean Endodontics
Cracked teeth demand patience, magnification, and experience. Dr. Leong’s microscope-based approach and detailed imaging make it possible to diagnose subtle fractures accurately and act before a treatable crack becomes an untreatable one.
Cost & insurance
Because outcomes for cracked teeth vary with the depth of the crack, we give you a candid prognosis before treatment. Diagnostic and treatment costs are reviewed with your insurance in advance.
For details on coverage and payment options, see insurance & financing, and if this is your first visit, our new patient guide walks through exactly what to expect.
Related reading: 7 Signs You May Need to See an Endodontist in our Education Center.
We provide cracked tooth treatment to patients across San Francisco’s west side, including St. Francis Wood, Daly City, and Lake Merced. See all the areas we serve.
