Heart of Texas Endodontics provides treatment of cracked teeth and broken tooth emergencies in Temple, TX. Call 254-778-4400 to learn more about cracked tooth repairs and schedule an appointment for emergency dental care.

Symptoms of a cracked or broken tooth are varied and may include pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink, pressure sensitivity or a combination of these. Because the severe pain from a broken tooth often comes and goes, it can be very difficult to recognize what is causing the problem. If you experience these symptoms, please call our office immediately for emergency dental care. You may also apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for temporary relief while you wait for your emergency appointment.

A cracked or broken tooth is considered a dental emergency that requires prompt attention from an endodontist or emergency dentist. Our dental office provides immediate dental care for this common dental emergency. If you are experiencing severe pain, tooth sensitivity, or notice broken tooth fragments, do not wait — contact our office right away, as delaying treatment can turn a manageable situation into a serious infection or medical emergency.

It can sometimes even be difficult to identify exactly which damaged tooth is causing the discomfort. That is why your dentist may refer you to an Endodontics specialist. Endodontists use surgical microscopes and other tools that can be different from a general dentist’s technology and tools. Early detection is critical when it comes to many dental emergencies, and our team is equipped to quickly diagnose and treat the affected tooth before the damage progresses.

Continuing to chew on a cracked tooth can lead to more damage as well as creating the potential for pain and infection that requires urgent dental care. This damaged tooth situation is one of the most common dental emergencies we treat. Even small movement of the cracked tooth pieces during chewing can cause irritation to the tooth’s pulp, which causes pain. Similarly, when the bite is released, the crack can close quickly, causing sharp pain. Over time, the tooth pulp will become damaged. As this happens, the tooth will hurt more consistently. Cracks can sometimes lead to a tooth infection in the pulp tissue and spread to the surrounding gum and bone, which can require root canal therapy to save the natural teeth.

Patients who grind their teeth or have chronic teeth grinding are at a higher risk of developing severely cracked teeth and should speak with our team about preventive options. Impacted wisdom teeth can also contribute to cracking and pressure on surrounding teeth, and patients experiencing jaw pain or pain near the back of the mouth should have their wisdom teeth evaluated as part of their emergency exam.

If you are experiencing severe pain and are unsure of the cause, do not hesitate to call our office — we will work quickly to identify the source of your discomfort and provide the care you need to find relief.

Craze Lines

Small shallow cracks, known as craze lines, are very common and do not require treatment. These lines are in the tooth’s enamel surface and do not cause pain or damage. They do not cause any concern other than aesthetic considerations.

Fractured Cusp

Another category involving a cracked tooth that may not cause pain is a fractured cusp. This is when the high-test part(s) of the tooth has a crack that may cause it to break off from the rest of the tooth. Although there may not be pain, it is best to have the tooth examined. There may be a portion of the tooth that needs to be removed to prevent further damage. As long as the fracture or break does not extend into the interior of the tooth, a root canal will most likely not be necessary. In many cases, a fractured cusp can be repaired with dental crowns or tooth colored fillings to restore the tooth's function and appearance and protect it from further injury.

Cracked Tooth

When the tooth crack is vertical, from the chewing services and extending close to the root, a root canal will most likely be needed to relieve pain, prevent or heal infection, and save the tooth from further dental problems. Once the root canal treatment is complete your dentist can restore the tooth’s shape for function, good oral health, and a beautiful smile. Our endodontists have the advanced training and specialized tools needed to save the tooth whenever possible, helping patients avoid the need for an emergency tooth extraction or dental implants.

A cracked tooth that is left untreated can develop a serious infection that spreads to the surrounding gum and bone, potentially requiring more extensive treatment such as emergency dentistry procedures or even dental implants to replace the lost tooth. If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, please call our office right away — the sooner we are able to evaluate and treat the affected tooth, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome and a full permanent tooth recovery.

Cracked or Broken Tooth Beyond the Gumline

A vertical crack that extends into the root and below the gumline may not be treatable and may require an extraction rather than a root canal and restoration, which is why oral health preventative measures are so important.