How to Diagnose and Treat a Cracked Tooth After Root Canal

Cracked Tooth After Root Canal

Have you ever had a cracked tooth after a root canal treatment? It is not unusual, as the weakened state of the natural teeth caused by this procedure makes them more susceptible to fracturing.

The fracture can be hard to detect on traditional X-rays and at home but must be viewed immediately for further assessment.

Reasons such as age, wear and tear due to chewing or grinding are often factors that contribute towards unexpected cracking in these types of treated teeth so if you have experienced it please visit your dentist right away!

How Do I Know If My Root Canal Tooth Is Cracked?

A cracked root canal tooth is not always easy to diagnose, as the symptoms can be similar to other dental issues.

However, some clear signs that you may have a cracked tooth after a root canal include sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, pain when biting down on food or drink, and even visible fractures in the enamel of your teeth.

In order to properly diagnose a crack in your root canal tooth, it’s important to visit your dentist for an X-ray. This will help determine if there are any underlying issues that need treatment.

What Happens If My Root Canal Tooth Is Cracked?

Your dentist may recommend a variety of treatments to address the pain and discomfort associated with a cracked root canal tooth. These can include filling the crack to prevent bacteria from entering, crowns or veneers to cover up the cracks in your enamel, and even root canal retreatment if the crack is deep enough.

What Causes Cracked Teeth After Root Canals?

The most common cause of cracked teeth after root canals is weak enamel due to acidic foods and drinks, grinding or clenching of teeth, or even age-related wear and tear.

When the enamel gets weak enough, it can fracture easily under pressure, like when chewing food, which can cause pain in the area where the root canal was done. 

Another possible cause of cracked teeth after root canals is an undetected crack before the procedure was done. This type of crack usually happens in cases where a tooth has already been weakened by decay or trauma before being treated with a root canal.

In these cases, the crack may have been too small to detect during the initial evaluation, but it could become larger after treatment due to chewing forces on the tooth surface.  

How Is Cracked Tooth After Root Canal Treated?

The first step in treating a cracked tooth after the root canal is to identify whether or not there is an underlying crack present. To do this, your dentist will typically take X-rays and use other diagnostic tools to determine if there is any evidence of an existing crack before proceeding with treatment options.

Depending on the severity of the fracture, your dentist may recommend one or more treatments such as crown lengthening, filling replacement/repair, splinting multiple teeth together, or even extraction in severe cases.

Conclusion

Treating cracked teeth after root canals requires proper diagnosis and professional care from your dentist to ensure successful treatment outcomes for long-term relief from pain and discomfort caused by these cracks.

If you feel like something isn’t quite right after having a root canal procedure done, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for an examination so they can help determine what’s causing your discomfort and provide appropriate care for your specific needs. This way, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life without any dental issues!

Dr. Jay Feldman

Dr. Jay Feldman

Dr. Jay Feldman is an experienced and highly-respected dentist with decades of experience in the field for over 10 years. He specializes in root canals and extractions, but he also provides general dentistry services such as check-ups, cleanings, fillings, sealants, and more. He dedicates much of his free time to contributing content for Here.