--- title: "The Reality of a Cracked Molar Tooth" description: "Feeling a jolt of pain when biting down could indicate a cracked molar tooth. Since the molars are subjected to the greatest pressures" url: "https://thegracedental.com/the-reality-of-a-cracked-molar-tooth/" --- # Introduction Feeling a jolt of pain when biting down could indicate a cracked molar tooth. Since the molars are subjected to the greatest pressures while chewing, they have more of a chance to develop cracks. If you do not listen to the warnings in time, the problem can grow into such serious conditions that cause nerve pain, infection, and even tooth loss if not taken care of. When you first notice that something feels off back there, it is completely normal to feel a bit stressed out. You might immediately find yourself wondering, how do you fix a cracked tooth without having to go through a long, painful, or super expensive process at the dentist?  Luckily, modern dental care has come a long way, offering straightforward fixes like simple tooth-colored bonding, protective caps, or routine root canals to get you back to normal.  The only thing to do is figure out if your cracked molar tooth has become too painful yet. Another important thought that bothers people when they discover their tooth’s fracture is: Do I need to remove this tooth immediately, or is there still a chance to save it? In fact, every dentist strives to protect your natural teeth if there is a chance to do so. Extractions are recommended only in the rare case of serious damage. ## What is a Cracked Molar Tooth? A cracked molar tooth pertains to an injury affecting one of the molars whereby the crack occurs on the tooth. Unlike in a chipped tooth where only the enamel is involved, the cracked tooth reaches deeper into the internal structure of the tooth, including the nerve and blood vessels. Not all fissures are equal. Some are non-threatening surface fissures called craze lines, while others involve a tooth that has a broken cusp, typically close to an old filling. More serious types of fissures include vertical root fractures and splitting teeth, which start below the gum margin. Because these deeper fractures are hidden, a cracked molar tooth can be difficult to detect until it starts causing pain. Early diagnosis is the best way to prevent a cracked molar tooth from worsening and requiring more extensive treatment. ## Why Do Back Teeth Crack So Easily? The most powerful forces from chewing act on the molars. Therefore, cracked molar teeth are a common problem. After a while, the pressure on the tooth eventually leads to a cracked molar. Common causes include: - **Grinding/Clenching:** Overgrinding/clenching of the teeth leads to excessive forces exerted on the molars. - **Large Fillings:** Fewer natural teeth result in a weaker tooth. - **Injury/trauma**: Injury in the mouth region may cause tooth fractures. - **Biting hard substances:** Such things as ice, hard candies, or popcorn may cause cracks in the teeth. - **Hot and Cold Temperatures:** Sudden changes in temperature due to food and drink consumption may lead to tiny fractures of enamel. ## Cracked Tooth Symptoms You Should Look For Recognizing an underlying dental fracture at an early stage can help avert more substantial complications from occurring. A cracked molar tooth may be suspected when pain arises after a heavy bite, or when the person experiences discomfort after consuming any hot, cold or sweet food, as well as a fluctuating kind of pain that is not easily identified. Without treatment, a cracked molar tooth may gradually deteriorate, ending up in swollen gums or a tiny swelling around the tooth area, which are possible signs of infection. ## How a Dentist Finds the Hidden Break Finding a cracked molar tooth can be tricky because the crack is often too small to appear on a standard dental X-ray unless it has widened or affected the surrounding bone. To diagnose a cracked molar tooth, your dentist may use: - **A detailed visual exam:** Magnification and a dental explorer help detect tiny cracks. - **A bite test:** Biting on a small tool pinpoints pain caused by a cracked molar tooth. - **Light transillumination:** A bright light reveals fracture lines by creating a dark shadow. - **Special staining dyes:** Temporary dye highlights tiny cracks. - **3D imaging scans:** If the root may be affected, a 3D scan provides a detailed view from every angle. ## How Do You Fix a Cracked Tooth Effectively? Once your dentist determines how deep the crack is, they will recommend the best treatment. If you’re wondering how to fix a cracked tooth, the answer depends on the extent of the damage. Small surface cracks can often be sealed with composite bonding. For a cracked molar tooth with a damaged cusp but a healthy nerve, a custom dental crown is usually the best solution to strengthen and protect the tooth. If the crack reaches the pulp, a root canal is typically needed before placing a crown to restore the tooth. **Does a Cracked Tooth Need to Be Pulled Every Time?** When you feel a painful crack, it is easy for your mind to jump to the worst-case scenario. You might find yourself stressing over whether a cracked tooth needs to be pulled because it seems too damaged to save. Thankfully, modern dentistry focuses heavily on keeping your natural smile intact, so pulling a tooth is never the first choice. However, there are times when a cracked molar tooth simply cannot be put back together safely. If a fracture splits the root completely in half, the foundation of the tooth is gone.  Trying to patch a cracked molar tooth in that state would only cause recurring pain and infections down the road. If it turns out that a cracked tooth that needs to be pulled is the healthiest choice for you, your dentist can replace it with a beautiful, permanent dental implant that looks, feels, and functions exactly like a real tooth. ## What Happens If You Put Off Treatment? It can be tempting to wait and see if a cracked molar tooth will just get better on its own, but tooth enamel does not have the ability to heal like a cut on your skin. Once a fracture line starts, the daily pressure of chewing acts like a wedge, slowly driving the crack deeper and wider over time. As the pieces of a cracked molar tooth shift while you eat, bacteria from your mouth seep straight into the inner layers. This can cause the nerve to become inflamed and angry, turning a mild discomfort into a constant, throbbing ache that keeps you up at night.  If the bacteria keep moving down into the root, they can create a painful pocket of infection called an abscess. An unmanaged abscess can damage the surrounding jawbone and make you feel genuinely unwell.  Taking care of your cracked molar tooth early keeps a small issue from turning into a stressful dental emergency. ## Easy Ways to Protect Your Back Teeth While dentists have fantastic ways to repair damage, keeping a cracked molar tooth from happening in the first place is always the easiest route. Making a few tiny adjustments to your daily routine can keep your teeth strong and fracture-free. - **Try a Custom Nightguard:** If you wake up with a tight jaw or know you grind your teeth at night, a slim nightguard acts as a protective shield to absorb that heavy pressure from damaging a cracked molar tooth. - **Be Mindful of Hard Foods:** Try to avoid chewing on unpopped popcorn kernels, hard candies, ice, or frozen treats. - **Use a Sports Guard:** If you play contact sports or love active recreation, a simple mouthguard can protect your teeth from unexpected bumps. - **Keep Up with Checkups:** Regular dental visits allow your dentist to keep an eye on old fillings that might be weakening, catching potential issues before they crack. ## Moving Forward with Confidence Tooth pain is one of life’s most difficult circumstances. However, it’s good to know what’s wrong because it makes it easier to cope. If you notice cracked tooth symptoms​ such as sharp pain when biting or sensitivity to hot or cold, the best step is to see a dentist so that they can evaluate the situation. Catching a cracked molar tooth early means you have more options, simpler treatments, and a much faster return to comfortable eating. As you try to understand the way forward, the question “how do you fix a cracked tooth?” will remove the element of mystery from your dental visit. No matter whether your tooth just needs to be bonded or crowned to maintain its strength, visiting a dentist in the early stages will simplify everything for you. But in case you are at home and wondering if a cracked tooth needs to be pulled​, it is important to note that your dentist will go out of his way to make sure that he maintains your smile as long as he possibly can. This involves taking good care of your teeth, listening to your mouth, and getting ahead of your regular dental care needs. ### Get Your Cracked Molar Checked at Grace Dental If you are in the Winter Park area and suspect a cracked molar tooth, the team at [Grace Dental](https://thegracedental.com/) can help you find out exactly what is going on. Dr. Mohammed Khattari and his team use modern diagnostic technology to locate hidden fractures, then walk you through the options that fit your case, whether that is a simple filling, a crown, root canal treatment, or an implant when the tooth truly cannot be saved. Every treatment plan is built around your own health and smile goals, in a comfortable setting where nothing is rushed. Call (407) 220-1400 or [book your appointment online](https://thegracedental.com/book-now/) and take care of that ache before it turns into an emergency. ### References [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21628-fractured-tooth-cracked-tooth](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21628-fractured-tooth-cracked-tooth)