A cracked tooth is more than just a dental nuisance—it’s a condition that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Early signs like pain while chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling near the gums often get dismissed until the problem worsens. Without prompt care, a cracked tooth may develop infection, nerve damage, or even require extraction.
At Renovo Endodontic Studio, our board-certified endodontists specialize exclusively in saving natural teeth. Using advanced diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive endodontic treatments, we provide precise cracked tooth repair for patients across Chicago, Elgin, Schaumburg, Loves Park, and Downers Grove.
Our goal is simple: preserve your natural smile with expert care that’s both effective and comfortable.
Signs You May Have a Cracked Tooth
Identifying a cracked tooth early can make all the difference in how effectively we can treat it. Because symptoms can vary, many patients dismiss them until the damage becomes harder to manage.
Learning what to look for helps you avoid more complex procedures and prolonged discomfort. To help you get the proper cracked tooth repair, here’s how to spot early signs of a crack:
- Sharp pain when chewing: Sudden discomfort when biting down, especially when releasing pressure.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold: Lingering discomfort when drinking coffee, tea, or ice water.
- Swelling near the gums: Puffiness or localized tenderness around a specific tooth.
- Pain with sweet foods: Sensitivity to sugar may indicate an exposed nerve or enamel crack.
- Intermittent symptoms: Pain that comes and goes, making it harder to self diagnose.
If you notice any of these cracked tooth symptoms, don’t wait—early treatment gives us the best chance to save your natural tooth.
Why Choose Renovo Endodontic Studio for Cracked Tooth Repair?
Not every dental office is equipped to handle the complexities of cracked tooth treatment. At Renovo Endodontic Studio, endodontics is all we do—meaning you’re in the hands of specialists who repair cracked teeth every day.
Here’s why patients across Chicagoland trust us for cracked tooth repair:
✅ Advanced diagnostics: We use cone beam CT imaging and dental microscopes to identify even the smallest fractures before they worsen.
✅ Specialized techniques: Our approach includes targeted root canal therapy, internal splinting, and minimally invasive procedures designed to save your tooth structure.
✅ Experienced team of endodontists: Each of our doctors is highly trained in complex endodontic care, with years of experience treating cracked teeth.
✅ Comfort-first approach: We offer sedation dentistry and patient-centered care to make treatment as stress-free as possible.
✅ Trusted by dentists: Thousands of general dentists across Illinois refer patients to Renovo for advanced cracked tooth treatment.
When you choose Renovo, you’re choosing precision, expertise, and a commitment to long-term oral health.
Cracked Tooth FAQs
A cracked tooth raises immediate concerns about pain, treatment options, and whether you’ll lose your tooth. We’ve compiled answers to the most common questions patients ask about a cracked tooth, helping you understand your situation and the next steps.
These FAQs address everything from recognizing serious cracks to understanding repair methods and costs.
How do you know if a cracked tooth is serious?
Sharp pain when biting down, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, and visible crack lines extending toward the gum are warning signs of a severe crack. Pain that comes and goes with chewing, pressure, or discomfort in a specific tooth when releasing bite pressure indicates that the crack has likely reached deeper structures.
If you experience spontaneous pain, swelling, or sensitivity that wakes you at night, the crack may have reached the pulp, which houses nerves and blood vessels. Contact Renovo Endodontic Studio immediately if you notice these symptoms, as early treatment can prevent the crack from worsening and save your natural tooth.
Does a cracked tooth need to be pulled?
Many cracked teeth can be saved with treatments like dental bonding, crowns, or root canal therapy, especially when the crack is detected early.
Extraction is usually the only option if the crack extends below the gum line or splits the tooth vertically through the root. These severe fractures can allow bacteria to enter, leading to infection and leaving the tooth without enough support to function correctly. They often result from untreated cracks, injury, teeth grinding, or biting hard foods.
At Renovo, our endodontists use advanced 3D imaging to evaluate the crack and prioritize saving your natural tooth whenever possible. If extraction is necessary, we will walk you through dependable replacement options, including dental implants.
How long can I leave a cracked tooth?
You should see a dentist within 24-48 hours of noticing a cracked tooth, even if the pain is minimal or intermittent. Delaying treatment allows bacteria to enter through the crack, leading to infection, abscess formation, and potential bone loss around the tooth. What starts as a repairable crack can progress into a deeper fracture that requires more extensive treatment or extraction if left untreated.
Renovo Endodontic Studio offers same-day emergency appointments at all our Illinois locations because we understand that cracked teeth worsen over time, and immediate care provides the best chance of saving your tooth.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
No, a cracked tooth cannot heal on its own because enamel and dentin do not contain living cells that allow regeneration. Once a tooth cracks, the damage remains and can worsen from chewing pressure, temperature changes, and bacterial buildup.
Early professional treatment is critical to prevent the crack from spreading and to improve the chances of saving the tooth. Depending on the severity, dentists may recommend dental bonding, a crown, or root canal therapy to protect the tooth and restore its function.
Home remedies cannot repair structural tooth damage and may allow the fracture to deepen while creating a false sense of security. Seeking prompt dental care is the most effective way to stop progression and avoid more complex treatment.
What are the treatment options for a cracked tooth?
Minor enamel cracks can be smoothed and sealed with dental bonding, a tooth-colored resin that protects the crack from bacteria and restores its appearance.
Moderate cracks reaching into the dentin layer often require a crown to cover and protect the entire tooth, preventing the crack from spreading under chewing forces. Deep cracks extending into the pulp require root canal therapy to remove infected nerve tissue before placing a crown.
Our endodontists perform this procedure with precision using advanced microscopes. Severe cracks that split the tooth vertically or extend below the gum line may require extraction, but Renovo Endodontic Studio exhausts all preservation options first.
When does a cracked tooth need a root canal?
A root canal is necessary when a crack extends deep enough to reach the pulp chamber, where nerves and blood vessels reside, causing infection or inflammation. Symptoms indicating pulp involvement include persistent temperature sensitivity, throbbing pain, nighttime discomfort, or swelling in the gums near the cracked tooth.
During root canal treatment, our endodontists remove the infected pulp, clean and seal the tooth’s interior, then place a crown to protect the remaining tooth structure.
At Renovo Endodontic Studio, we use specialized techniques and 3D imaging to treat cracked teeth with root canal therapy in a single visit when possible, preserving your natural tooth while eliminating pain.
How much does cracked tooth repair cost?
Cracked tooth repair costs vary based on severity, ranging from $200-400 for minor bonding to $800-1,500 for crowns and $1,000-2,000 for root canal therapy with a crown.
Insurance typically covers a portion of medically necessary crack repairs, and Renovo’s team verifies your benefits before treatment to clarify your out-of-pocket costs. We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible payment options, so cost shouldn’t prevent you from saving your tooth.
Delaying treatment often leads to more expensive procedures later, so addressing cracks early provides both clinical and financial benefits.
Is a cracked tooth an emergency?
A cracked tooth becomes a dental emergency when accompanied by severe pain, visible blood, loose tooth fragments, swelling, or inability to bite without sharp discomfort.
Even without dramatic symptoms, cracks that cause temperature sensitivity or pain when chewing warrant urgent attention within 24 hours to prevent bacterial infection.
Renovo Endodontic Studio provides same-day emergency appointments because cracked teeth deteriorate rapidly once bacteria penetrate through the fracture. Call our office immediately if you crack a tooth. Our endodontists are equipped to assess severity using 3D imaging and provide definitive treatment to halt progression.
What happens if I ignore a cracked tooth?
Ignoring a cracked tooth allows bacteria to enter through the fracture, infecting the pulp and potentially forming an abscess at the tooth’s root. The crack will progressively deepen from chewing pressure, eventually splitting the tooth vertically or extending below the gum line, where repair becomes impossible.
Untreated infected cracks can spread bacteria to surrounding tissues, causing swelling, fever, and bone loss that affects neighboring teeth. What might have required simple bonding or a crown initially often progresses to needing root canal therapy, extraction, or even hospitalization for severe infections.
How long does cracked tooth repair take?
Simple crack repairs using dental bonding typically take 30-60 minutes in a single appointment to clean, fill, and polish the affected area. Crown placement traditionally requires two visits, but Renovo Endodontic Studio uses advanced technology that can complete the process in one visit when appropriate.
Root canal therapy, combined with a crown, takes 60-90 minutes at our practice, and most patients return to normal activities the same day. The exact timeline depends on crack severity and your specific situation, which our endodontists assess during your initial visit using 3D imaging for precise diagnosis and treatment planning.
