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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Cracked and Broken Tooth Repair in La Salette
A crack can cause sharp pain on biting or lingering cold sensitivity. La Salette patients can learn how cracks are found and which repairs might fit.
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Caring for La Salette patients at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for La SaletteHard-to-see damage
Cracks can hide in plain sight, so symptoms are important clues.
A tooth can crack from biting something unexpectedly hard, from years of grinding or because a large old filling has weakened it. Some cracks are obvious. Others are fine lines that only reveal themselves as a jolt of pain when you release a bite or a twinge with cold drinks.
Patients from La Salette can have a suspected cracked tooth examined at our Port Dover office. The dentist will try to locate the crack, judge how far it extends and explain which repair may protect the tooth, keeping in mind that outcomes can vary.
Recognizing a crack
Describe exactly when the tooth hurts.
Pain on biting or release
A classic sign is sharp, brief pain when chewing, especially as you let go of the bite. You may find yourself avoiding one side of your mouth without quite realizing why. Try to identify which tooth or area is involved and which foods trigger the pain, since this helps narrow the search.
Temperature sensitivity and gum changes
Sensitivity to cold or sweet foods that fades quickly can also occur. If pain becomes constant, throbbing or wakes you at night, or if the gum near a tooth swells, the crack may have reached the nerve. Call the office promptly in those situations rather than waiting.
Finding the crack
Locating a crack can take careful detective work.
Tests used to locate the problem
The dentist may ask you to bite on a special instrument one cusp at a time, apply cold to individual teeth or use magnification and light to look for fracture lines. Removing an old filling sometimes reveals a crack beneath it. Each test adds information about which tooth is affected.
Why X-rays may not show it
Many cracks run in a direction that X-rays do not capture well, so a normal image does not always rule one out. X-rays are still useful for checking the nerve, bone and other causes of pain. The dentist will explain how confident the findings are and what may remain uncertain.
Repair options
The extent of the crack guides the type of repair.
Bonding, onlays and crowns
A crack limited to the outer tooth may be treated with bonding or a filling. When a cusp has fractured or the tooth is weakened, an onlay or crown can hold the tooth together and spread biting forces. Covering a cracked tooth early may help reduce the chance that the crack spreads further.
When the nerve or root is involved
If the crack has reached the nerve, root canal treatment may be needed before a crown. A crack extending deep into the root can make a tooth unrestorable, and removal may then be recommended. The dentist should outline the likely outcomes of each option honestly before you decide.
Protecting it
Repaired teeth still need watching.
Monitoring the treated tooth
Even after treatment, a cracked tooth may need monitoring. Let the office know if pain returns, the gum swells or biting becomes uncomfortable again. A review appointment may be suggested to confirm the tooth has settled. Some teeth remain slightly tender for a time before improving.
Reducing future cracking
Grinding and clenching are common contributors to cracks. A night guard may help protect your repaired tooth and others. Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels and other very hard objects. Large older fillings in other teeth may also be worth evaluating at your next checkup.
Planning your appointment
Arranging an exam from La Salette.
Call our Port Dover office and describe which side hurts, when it started and what triggers the pain. The team can discuss timing and arrange an appropriate assessment.
Until you are seen, chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or hard foods that set the tooth off.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Cracked tooth questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Why does my tooth hurt only when I stop biting?
Pain on releasing a bite is a common sign of a cracked tooth, as the segments of the tooth flex slightly. An examination with bite testing can help identify which tooth is involved.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
Unlike bone, a tooth crack does not heal. Treatment aims to protect the tooth and prevent the crack from spreading. Waiting can allow a crack to deepen, so prompt assessment is sensible.
Will I need a crown for a cracked tooth?
Often a crown or onlay is recommended to hold the tooth together, but smaller cracks may be treated differently. The dentist will explain what the examination shows and why a particular repair is suggested.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
Many can, especially when treated early. A crack extending deep into the root may mean the tooth cannot be kept. The dentist will discuss the likely outlook for your tooth before treatment.
Do X-rays show cracks?
Not always. Many cracks are not visible on X-rays, so the dentist relies on symptoms, bite tests and close examination as well. Images remain useful for checking the nerve and surrounding bone.
Related tooth repair options
General Dentistry →Dental Crowns →
Learn when a crown is advised for a weak or damaged tooth, what preparation involves and how La Salette patients can care for a crown placed in Port Dover.
Broken or Chipped Tooth Repair →
Chipped a tooth in La Salette? See what to save, which symptoms matter and how the dentist in Port Dover assesses a break before suggesting bonding or a crown.