Dental crowns are overwhelmingly successful in protecting damaged, decayed, or otherwise weak and vulnerable teeth. But, occasionally even with a dental crown, the tooth beneath it can crack. If you think you have a tooth cracked under the crown, seek dental care ASAP. An infection can quickly develop in a tooth that is cracked under the crown.
What Causes a Tooth Become Cracked Under a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are made of strong material, but repetitive strain or an acute injury to a crowned tooth can crack the tooth beneath it. Strain, stress, and injuries that are capable of cracking a tooth beneath a crown include:
- Clenching and grinding your teeth (bruxism)
- Strain from years of chewing
- Biting on a hard object or food (candies, ice cubes, etc)
- Using teeth as tools (opening products, removing tags, etc.)
- Dental trauma (injury from a fall, accident, direct impact to the mouth)
- Untreated tooth decay beneath the crown that weakened the tooth
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth Beneath a Dental Crown
The warning signs and symptoms that you may have cracked a tooth beneath a dental crown are similar to other oral health conditions. That is why it is so important to be evaluated and accurately diagnosed by an experienced, top-reviewed dentist as soon as possible. Symptoms of a cracked tooth include:
- New onset of sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages
- Sharp shooting pain in the tooth, especially when biting down
- Pain near the crown
- Swelling or redness near the crown
- Discoloration of the crown
- Gaps between the tooth and the crown
- Loosening of the crowned tooth
- Visible chips or cracks on the dental crown
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule dental care as soon as possible.
How Dentists Treat Cracked Teeth Beneath Crowns
There are many ways a dentist may restore your tooth to good health after suffering a crack beneath a crown.
- Crown removal, root canal, replacing the dental crown
- Bonding the crack in the tooth, replacing the dental crown
- Splinting the cracked tooth
- Replacing the original crown with a new crown
- Extraction of the cracked tooth, treatment plan for replacing the tooth (dental bridge or implant)
Your dentist will use high-quality digital images to evaluate the severity of the crack in the tooth. Wherever possible, your dentist will try to save the natural tooth. However, if the crack extends below the gumline, extraction will be required. Fortunately, dental bridges and dental implants can replace the extracted tooth and restore your mouth to good oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions about Emergency Dentistry
Can my dentist perform my root canal or do I have to go to a specialist?
Some dentists perform root canal therapy, others do not. At Meridian Dental Group in Midtown East, NYC, we have highly experienced dentists and endodontists available to provide emergency root canal therapy.
Can I use CareCredit for emergency dental care if I don’t have insurance?
Absolutely. Meridian Dental Group accepts CareCredit for all services provided.
Schedule a Dental Appointment for Tooth Pain in Midtown East, NYC
If you’re suffering from any kind of tooth pain, it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible, so that treatment can begin immediately. To schedule a priority appointment for a suspected cracked tooth or a toothache, contact Meridian Dental Group at 212-813-0850. For non-emergency care, you may send us a message to request your appointment.