Cracked Tooth Treatment in Glendale, CA 91202
Broken, cracked, or fractured tooth? Get a same-day exam to stop the pain and save your natural tooth.
Did you feel a sudden, sharp pain when biting down on food? Or perhaps you've noticed sensitivity to hot or cold that disappears quickly? You might have a cracked tooth.
At Aghbashian Dental in Glendale, CA 91202, Dr. Nova Aghbashian and our team diagnose and treat cracked teeth using digital imaging and restorative techniques. Our goal is to help you fix your cracked tooth, stop the pain, and save your natural tooth whenever possible. Cracked tooth repair in Glendale works best when it starts early, so don't wait for the crack to worsen.
Cracked molars are among the most common fractures because back teeth absorb the heaviest chewing forces. Most can be saved with a crown or an onlay, with a root canal added if the nerve is involved.
A split tooth is usually the result of a crack left untreated. Split-tooth treatment depends on how far the split extends. If the tooth has separated into segments or the crack runs below the gumline, extraction followed by an implant or bridge is often the best option.
Don’t wait for the crack to worsen. Schedule Your Consultation Today!!
Common Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
Unlike a cavity, which causes a dull ache, a cracked tooth can be elusive. You might not see the crack with the naked eye, but your body will tell you something is wrong.
Watch for these signs:
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Erratic Pain: Sharp pain when chewing, especially upon releasing bite pressure.
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Temperature Sensitivity: Sudden discomfort when eating or drinking something hot or cold.
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Localized Pain: Pain that comes and goes but is difficult to pinpoint to a specific tooth.
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Swelling: In severe cases, gum swelling around the affected tooth.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt When I Bite Down?
Sharp pain when biting down, or a tooth that hurts when chewing and then eases the moment you let go, is one of the most common signs of a cracked tooth. Chewing pressure flexes the crack and irritates the nerve inside. Releasing your bite lets the crack close again, which is why the pain can be hard to pinpoint.
If you're looking for painful cracked tooth treatment in Glendale, the first step is finding the crack. We combine a careful exam with digital X-rays, since cracks can be hard to see on imaging alone.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth at Aghbashian Dental
Cracked tooth treatment in Glendale depends on how deep the crack goes. Whether you have a cracked, broken, or fractured tooth, here's what to expect.:
- Minor crack (enamel only): Little to no pain. Often treated with smoothing or bonding in a single visit.
- Moderate crack (into dentin): Sensitivity to hot/cold. Usually requires a crown to protect the weakened tooth from further splitting.
- Deep crack (reaches the pulp/nerve): Sharp, lingering pain. Dr. Aghbashian will perform a comfortable Root Canal Treatment to remove the damaged nerve, followed by a protective crown.
- Severe fracture (below the gumline or split root): In these cases, the tooth may not be restorable, and extraction followed by a dental implant or bridge may be the best long-term option.
We'll confirm exactly which category your tooth falls into with a same-day exam and digital X-ray.
1. Cosmetic Bonding (For Minor Chips)
If the crack is superficial—affecting only the outer enamel (craze lines) or a small corner of the tooth—we can often repair it in a single visit using dental bonding. A tooth-colored composite resin is applied and shaped to restore the tooth’s look and function. As a chipped tooth dentist in Glendale, we can often bond minor chips and shallow cracks in a single visit.
2. Dental Crowns (The Most Common Solution)
For significant cracks that weaken the tooth’s structure but haven’t reached the nerve, a Dental Crown is usually the best solution. The crown acts like a "helmet" for your tooth, holding the fractured pieces together and distributing bite force evenly to prevent the crack from spreading.
3. Root Canal for a Cracked Tooth in Glendale, CA
If the crack has penetrated deep into the tooth pulp (the nerve center), the tooth may become infected or extremely sensitive. In these cases, Dr. Aghbashian will perform a comfortable Root Canal Treatment to remove the damaged nerve, followed by a crown to seal and protect the tooth.
4. Extraction (The Last Resort)
If a crack extends below the gum line or splits the tooth vertically into separate pieces, the tooth may not be salvageable. In this scenario, we will gently extract the tooth and discuss replacement options, such as a Dental Implant or Bridge, to restore your smile immediately.
Crown vs. Filling for a Cracked Tooth: Which Do You Need?
A filling or bonding is enough only when the crack is shallow. Once a crack runs into the dentin or weakens the tooth, a crown is usually needed to hold the tooth together. A root canal is added when the crack reaches the nerve.
| Crack depth | Typical treatment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Craze lines, enamel only | Monitor or smooth | Mostly cosmetic, no structural risk |
| Small chip or shallow crack | Bonding, often one visit | Conservative repair |
| Crack into the dentin, nerve not involved | Crown (or onlay for a cusp fracture) | Holds the tooth together and spreads bite force |
| Crack reaching the nerve | Root canal, then a crown | Treats the nerve, and the crown protects the tooth |
| Crack below the gumline or into the root | Often extraction, then an implant or bridge | The tooth may not be restorable |
Preventing Future Cracks
- Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, or hard candy
- If you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), ask us about a Custom Night Guard to protect your teeth from fracture
- Healthy teeth start with routine care — schedule your regular checkup & cleaning
Fractured Tooth Treatment in Glendale: Types of Cracks We Treat
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Craze Lines: Tiny, common cracks in the enamel that are mostly cosmetic.
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Fractured Cusp: When a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off. This is usually easily fixed with a crown or onlay.
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Cracked Tooth: A vertical crack extending from the chewing surface toward the root. Early diagnosis is vital to save the tooth.
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Split Tooth: The result of an untreated cracked tooth that splits into distinct segments.
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Vertical Root Fracture: A crack that begins at the root and moves upward. These often show few symptoms until the surrounding bone or gum becomes infected.
Cracked Tooth Repair Cost in Glendale, CA
We’re committed to affordable cracked tooth repair in Glendale, with transparent, upfront pricing. Cost depends on how deep the crack goes, which tooth is involved, and which treatment is needed. As a general guide:
- Bonding (minor cracks and chips): approximately $150 – $800 per tooth
- Crown (moderate cracks): approximately $800 – $2,000 per tooth
- Root canal + crown (deep cracks reaching the pulp): approximately $2,200 – $3,800 total
- Extraction + dental implant (non-restorable teeth): approximately $3,000 – $6,000 for the implant (post, abutment, and crown), plus the extraction
- Extraction + bridge (alternative for non-restorable teeth): approximately $2,000 – $5,000 for a three-unit bridge, plus the extraction
We’ll give you an exact, no-surprises quote after your exam and digital X-rays. We accept most PPO insurance plans and offer CareCredit® financing for treatment not fully covered. Ask about our $50 New-Patient Exam & X-rays for fast answers and immediate relief.
Why Choose Dr. Nova Aghbashian for Cracked Tooth Repair?
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"Almost Pain-Free" Experience: We utilize modern anesthetics and a gentle touch to ensure your treatment is comfortable.
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Advanced Diagnostics: We don’t guess. We use state-of-the-art technology to see exactly where the crack ends.
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Conservative Approach: Dr. Aghbashian’s philosophy is to save your natural tooth structure whenever feasible.
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Emergency Availability: We prioritize patients in pain for same-day or next-day appointments.
Cracked Tooth Emergency in Glendale: What To Do Right Now
If you have severe pain, swelling, or a piece of the tooth has broken off, call us right away. We prioritize patients in pain for same-day or next-day appointments, and you can read more about our emergency dentist in Glendale services.
Until you're seen, avoid chewing on that side, rinse gently with warm water, take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, and keep any broken piece. Our cracked tooth emergency guide covers more. If you develop facial swelling that is spreading, a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
No. Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth will not heal. Without treatment, the crack will likely deepen, eventually leading to infection, nerve death, and tooth loss.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?
Yes. If you are in pain, it is an emergency. Even if the pain is intermittent, chewing on a cracked tooth can cause it to split further, turning a simple fix (crown) into a complex one (extraction).
How can I prevent cracked teeth?
Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, or hard candy. If you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), ask us about a Custom Night Guard to protect your teeth from fracture.
How much does it cost to fix a cracked tooth in Glendale, CA?
Cost depends on how deep the crack goes. Bonding a minor crack runs roughly $150 to $800, a crown about $800 to $2,000, and a root canal and crown on a deeper crack about $2,200 to $3,800. We provide an exact quote after your exam, and accept most PPO insurance plus CareCredit financing.
Can a cracked tooth be saved, or will I need it pulled?
Most cracked teeth can be saved with bonding, a crown, or a root canal and crown. Extraction is typically only needed for severe fractures that reach below the gumline or split the root.
What should I do right now if I think I have a cracked tooth?
Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, and call our office for a same-day exam and digital X-ray so we can catch the crack before it worsens.
Is it better to get a crown or a filling for a cracked tooth?
It depends on how deep the crack is. A filling or bonding can repair a shallow crack or small chip. Once a crack reaches into the dentin or weakens the tooth, a crown is usually the better choice because it holds the tooth together and spreads bite force evenly. We confirm the depth with an exam and digital X-rays.
Do I need a root canal for a cracked tooth?
Only if the crack has reached the nerve. Lingering pain, strong sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling are common signs. In that case, a root canal removes the damaged nerve and a crown is placed to protect the tooth. Many cracked teeth never reach that stage and can be treated with bonding or a crown alone.
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?
Pain when biting down, especially a sharp pain that eases when you let go, often points to a cracked tooth. Chewing pressure flexes the crack and irritates the nerve. Other causes include decay, a loose filling, or gum problems, so an exam and digital X-ray are the way to find out which one it is.
Can a cracked tooth be fixed in one day?
Sometimes. Minor cracks and chips can often be bonded in a single visit. Deeper cracks usually need a crown, or a root canal and crown, across more than one appointment. We prioritize patients in pain for same-day or next-day visits, so you can get an exam, an X-ray, and pain relief quickly.
Can a cracked molar or split tooth be saved?
Often a cracked molar can be saved with a crown or onlay, with a root canal if the nerve is involved. A tooth that has split into separate segments, or a crack that runs below the gumline or into the root, usually can't be restored. In those cases, extraction followed by an implant or bridge is the better long-term option.
Serving Glendale and Nearby Communities
In addition to Glendale, CA 91202, we provide cracked tooth treatment for patients from Burbank, La Crescenta, Montrose, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Verdugo Woodlands, Los Feliz, and La Cañada Flintridge. Our Central Ave office is easily reached from the 134 and 2 freeways, which makes it a convenient choice when you need a prompt exam for a cracked or broken tooth.
📞 Schedule Your Preventive Dental Care Visit Today
Schedule Your Cracked Tooth Exam Today. Don't wait for the crack to worsen. Call (818) 873-0938 for a same-day or next-day exam.
📍 Aghbashian Dental Corp
1000 N Central Ave #130,
Glendale, CA 91202