Cracked Tooth Treatment in San Francisco
A cracked tooth doesn’t always mean extraction. The right diagnosis—with the right technology—determines whether your tooth can be saved and how.
The Challenge of Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth are one of the most difficult problems to diagnose in dentistry. The crack may be invisible on a standard X-ray, the symptoms can be intermittent and hard to localize, and the treatment depends entirely on the type, location, and extent of the fracture. A crack that stays above the gum line in the crown of the tooth may require only a crown. A crack that extends into the root and reaches the pulp may need root canal treatment. A vertical root fracture that splits the root may mean the tooth can’t be saved.
Getting the diagnosis right is everything—and it requires the tools and experience of an endodontist.
Types of Tooth Cracks
Craze Lines
Tiny, superficial cracks in the outer enamel only. Extremely common in adult teeth and typically require no treatment. They don’t cause pain and don’t progress to the inner tooth structure.
Fractured Cusp
A piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, usually around a large filling. This rarely damages the pulp and typically requires only a new crown or onlay for restoration.
Cracked Tooth
A crack extends from the chewing surface vertically toward the root. If the crack reaches the pulp, root canal treatment followed by a crown can save the tooth—provided the crack doesn’t extend below the bone level.
Split Tooth
A cracked tooth that has progressed until the tooth is separated into distinct segments. A split tooth generally cannot be saved intact, though in some cases a portion of the tooth may be salvageable.
Vertical Root Fracture
A crack that begins at the root and extends toward the chewing surface—often in teeth that have had previous root canal treatment. These fractures may show minimal symptoms and are frequently identified only with advanced imaging and microscopic examination.
How We Diagnose Cracked Teeth
Diagnosis begins with a thorough clinical examination including bite testing, transillumination (shining a focused light through the tooth to reveal fracture lines), and probing. When indicated, CBCT 3D imaging provides views of the root structure that flat X-rays cannot. The dental operating microscope allows your endodontist to visually confirm cracks at the microscopic level—inside the tooth, during treatment, where cracks are most clearly revealed. This combination of advanced diagnostics gives us the most accurate assessment of whether your tooth can be saved and what treatment will be most effective.
Sharp Pain When You Bite? Let’s Find Out Why.
Cracked tooth symptoms can be confusing. We’ll give you a clear diagnosis and honest recommendation.
Related Services
Root Canal Treatment • CBCT 3D Imaging • Emergency Root Canal • Traumatic Injuries