A cracked tooth can be alarming, but the good news is that it can often be saved. When a crack reaches deep into the tooth, the most reliable path to preserving it is usually a root canal followed by a dental crown. A crown is a custom cap, typically made of tooth-colored porcelain, that matches the shape and size of your natural tooth. It acts as a strong protective cover that shields the tooth from further damage and infection and allows you to keep your natural tooth rather than losing it.
Without a crown, a significantly cracked tooth often cannot withstand the everyday pressure of chewing, and the crack can worsen until the tooth is beyond repair. That is why it is so important to treat a cracked tooth as soon as possible by seeking professional care. At Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale, CA, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan focus on saving your natural teeth whenever possible, using root canal therapy and crowns to restore both strength and appearance.
Understanding Tooth Anatomy and Cracks
To understand how a cracked tooth is treated, it helps to know that teeth are made of layers. The outermost layer is the enamel, the hard protective surface. Beneath it lies the dentin, and at the very center is the dental pulp, which contains the nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. When a crack is shallow and limited to the enamel, treatment may be simple. But when a crack extends into the dentin or reaches the pulp, the nerves become exposed or irritated and you can feel intense pain. A deep crack can also allow bacteria to enter, leading to infection of the pulp.
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
Cracked teeth can be tricky to diagnose because the symptoms are often inconsistent. The pain may come and go rather than being constant, which leads many people to ignore it. Watch for these common signs:
- Erratic pain when chewing
- Pain when you release biting pressure
- Pain triggered by hot or cold foods and drinks
- Inconsistent discomfort that comes and goes with certain actions
- Difficulty pinpointing exactly which tooth is causing the problem
Because it can be hard to identify the source of the pain, we recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as you notice any of these symptoms. When the outer layer of a tooth cracks, the inner structures can shift slightly and cause irritation. In other cases, the crack runs deep enough that bacteria reach the pulp and an infection develops. The sooner the tooth is evaluated, the more treatment options remain available.
Why Prompt Treatment Matters
Without timely treatment, an infection in the pulp can spread to the surrounding bone and gums. In serious cases, this can progress to the point where the tooth must be extracted. Fortunately, you can avoid these complications by seeking professional care early. If the tooth is treated before a crack allows infection to take hold, a dental crown alone may be enough to restore it. If the pulp is already affected, a root canal removes the damaged tissue and a crown then protects and rebuilds the tooth. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of saving your natural tooth and avoiding more involved procedures.
How a Root Canal Saves a Cracked Tooth
When a crack has allowed infection or inflammation to reach the pulp, a root canal is the treatment that makes saving the tooth possible. After numbing the area for your comfort, we remove the damaged pulp, carefully clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, and then seal it. This eliminates the infection and the pain that comes with it. Because a tooth that has had a root canal can become more brittle, it is then covered with a crown to restore its strength so it can handle normal chewing once again. Together, the root canal and crown work as a team to rescue a tooth that might otherwise be lost.
The Dental Crown Process
A custom crown ensures a proper fit against the tooth and its neighbors. Beyond protecting the tooth, a well-made crown looks like a natural tooth, so others will not be able to tell it is a restoration. Placing a traditional crown usually involves at least two appointments.
During the first appointment, we take measurements and an impression of the tooth. In some cases, a small amount of the tooth may need to be shaped to make room for the crown, though we always aim to preserve as much natural tooth as possible. A dental lab then crafts the crown to the exact specifications of the impression. At a second appointment, the finished crown is checked for fit and cemented securely in place, so you can eat and use the tooth with confidence.
With same-day dentistry, this timeline can be shortened considerably. Using in-office technology, it is possible to design and create a crown in a single visit, eliminating the wait and the need for a temporary restoration. We will let you know which option is best for your situation.
Comfort and Modern Technology
We know that the words root canal can make people nervous, but modern techniques have made the procedure far more comfortable than its reputation suggests. With effective local anesthesia and a gentle approach, most patients are surprised by how manageable treatment is, and many feel immediate relief from the pain that brought them in. Infinite Dental Wellness is a mercury-free practice that uses up-to-date technology to keep treatment precise and efficient, and we take the time to explain each step so you always know what is happening.
Taking Care of Your Dental Crown
Because a crown is artificial, the crown itself cannot become infected or decay. However, the underlying tooth and the gums around it still need good care. Continue brushing twice a day and flossing daily, paying attention to the gumline so food and plaque do not build up around the crown. It is also wise to avoid biting directly on very hard items, such as ice or hard candy, which could damage the crown or the tooth beneath it. If you grind your teeth, let us know, as a night guard can help protect your restoration.
When a crown is placed by an experienced dental team, you will not have to worry about it loosening or falling out under normal use. A crown is an effective, long-lasting solution for a cracked tooth in most cases. With routine checkups, we can monitor the crown and the tooth and address any maintenance needs over the years, helping your restoration last as long as possible.
Common Types of Tooth Cracks
Not all cracks are the same, and understanding the differences helps explain why prompt evaluation matters. Craze lines are tiny, shallow cracks in the enamel that are very common and usually harmless, affecting only the surface. A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the chewing surface breaks off, often around an old filling, and may not always reach the pulp. A more serious cracked tooth extends from the chewing surface toward the root and can reach the pulp if left untreated. The deeper a crack runs, the more important early treatment becomes.
Some cracks are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and they may not even appear clearly on an X-ray. That is why a careful clinical examination, sometimes with special tests and magnification, is so valuable. Identifying the type and depth of a crack allows us to recommend the right treatment, whether that is a simple restoration, a crown, or a root canal followed by a crown. Catching a crack early often makes the difference between a straightforward fix and a more involved procedure.
Same-Day Crowns with Modern Technology
At Infinite Dental Wellness, we are proud to offer same-day dentistry using advanced in-office technology. Instead of taking a messy impression and waiting two weeks while an outside lab makes your crown, we can capture digital images, design your restoration, and create it right in our office. This means many patients can have a cracked tooth treated and crowned in a single visit, without the inconvenience of a temporary crown that can come loose or feel uncomfortable. The same-day crown is made from durable, tooth-colored ceramic that blends naturally with your smile.
Preventing Cracked Teeth
While not every cracked tooth can be prevented, a few habits can lower your risk. Avoid chewing on hard items such as ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and pens, all of which are common causes of cracks. If you grind or clench your teeth, especially at night, ask us about a custom night guard to protect them from excess force. Wearing a mouthguard during sports is another simple way to shield your teeth from injury. Keeping up with regular checkups also helps, since we can spot weakened teeth or aging fillings before they crack and recommend protective treatment in time.
Are You a Candidate?
Most people with a cracked tooth are good candidates for a root canal and crown, as long as enough healthy tooth structure remains to support a restoration. The only way to know for certain is an examination with X-rays, which allows us to see how deep the crack runs and whether the pulp is involved. From there, we take the time to explain our findings clearly and recommend the treatment that gives you the very best chance of keeping your natural tooth.
Cost and Insurance
The cost of treating a cracked tooth depends on whether a root canal is needed and on the type of crown selected, all of which we review with you before treatment begins. Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO insurance plans, and our team will help you understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs. Please note that we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. We believe in clear, upfront communication about cost so you can make a confident decision about your care.
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale
Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are a USC-trained, husband-and-wife team committed to gentle, patient-focused dentistry. Our Glendale practice has earned a 4.9-star rating from more than 300 Google reviews, and we offer same-day emergency appointments for patients in pain, mercury-free care, and a welcoming environment for all ages. A cracked tooth is exactly the kind of problem you want addressed quickly and skillfully, and our team is here to help.
If you are struggling with a chipped or cracked tooth, do not hesitate to call. Prompt professional treatment offers the best chance of saving your tooth, and thanks to the easy care a crown requires, most patients enjoy years of trouble-free use. If you live in the Glendale area, call (818) 541-1110 today to schedule your exam. Seek treatment today to save your tooth tomorrow.
Scheduling Your Can a Cracked Tooth be Saved with a Root Canal and Crown Visit in Glendale
Getting started with can a cracked tooth be saved with a root canal and crown at Infinite Dental Wellness is simple. Our Glendale office near the Verdugo Woodlands is easy to reach for patients across La Crescenta, La Cañada Flintridge, Montrose, Burbank, and Pasadena, and we keep wait times short so your appointment begins on time. From your first phone call, our friendly team takes care of the details so you can focus on your smile.
- Call (818) 541-1110 or request an appointment online to find a time that fits your schedule.
- Bring your PPO dental insurance information and we will help verify your benefits before treatment.
- Ask us about same-day visits if you are dealing with pain or a dental emergency.
- Let us know about any anxiety so we can make your visit as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
Whether this is your first visit or you are returning for ongoing care, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are ready to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile. Call (818) 541-1110 today to learn more about can a cracked tooth be saved with a root canal and crown and the rest of our services.