Cracked Tooth, Act Before It Gets Worse
Most cracked teeth can be saved with a crown, if treated before the crack extends to the root. Same-day appointments available.
Reviewed by Dr. Nicole Houshmand, DDS · June 2026
Will a cracked tooth heal on its own?
Cracked teeth are one of the most common causes of dental pain in adults, and one of the most frequently misdiagnosed. The crack is often invisible to the naked eye and may not appear on X-rays. Yet the pain can be unmistakable: a sharp, brief pain when biting down on something, or sensitivity to cold that lingers longer than it should.
The good news: caught early, most cracked teeth can be saved with a crown. Caught late, a crack that has extended into the root may leave extraction as the only option. Do not wait to be seen.
What are the different types of cracked teeth, and how serious are they?
Tiny surface crack in enamel only. Common in adults. Cosmetic concern only.
A piece of the biting surface has broken off. Usually painless; may need a crown.
Crack from the biting surface downward. May or may not have reached the nerve.
Tooth has completely split into segments. Usually cannot be saved.
| Crack Type | Location | Symptoms | Treatment | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craze line | Enamel surface only | None, cosmetic only | None required | Routine visit |
| Fractured cusp | Biting surface piece breaks off | Usually painless | Crown or onlay | Within days |
| Cracked tooth | Crown down toward root | Pain on biting; lingering cold sensitivity | Crown if above gumline; extraction risk if below | See dentist immediately |
| Split tooth | Root split into two segments | Severe pain; swelling | Extraction in most cases | Emergency |
| Vertical root fracture | Root upward toward crown | Mild symptoms; easy to miss | Extraction or endodontic surgery | Within days |
Cracked tooth FAQs
Common signs include: sharp pain when biting down that disappears quickly, sensitivity to cold that lingers, pain that is hard to pinpoint, and no visible cavity on X-ray. Cracked teeth are notoriously difficult to diagnose because cracks often do not show on X-rays. A clinical exam with bite tests and special lighting is usually required.
It depends on the severity. A craze line (surface crack in the enamel only) is not an emergency. A crack extending toward the root or into the pulp, or a tooth that has split, is an emergency. Signs that a crack has reached the nerve include: spontaneous pain, intense cold sensitivity, or pain when biting in a specific spot.
No. Unlike bones, teeth cannot heal themselves. A crack will not get better without treatment, it will almost always get worse over time, particularly with continued chewing. Early treatment (a crown, for example) can save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction if left until the crack reaches the root.
Treatment depends on the location, direction, and depth of the crack. Options include: a crown (most common, protects the tooth from further cracking), dental bonding (for minor cracks on front teeth), a root canal (if the crack has reached the nerve), or extraction (if the crack extends below the gum line and cannot be saved). We evaluate every crack individually and recommend the most conservative option that will protect the tooth long-term.
A crown holds the tooth together and prevents the crack from propagating further, in most cases, yes. However, if the crack has already reached the pulp (nerve), a root canal is needed before the crown is placed. And if the crack extends below the gum line into the root, neither a crown nor a root canal can save the tooth. Early treatment is always better.