Dentist Questions Cracked Tooth

Why does a cracked tooth have to be pulled?

My dentist found a cracked tooth and now he wants to pull it. I made the appointment for it, because, obviously, I do want it fixed. But why does a cracked tooth need to be pulled? Is there really no other treatment?

26 Answers

If it is cracked vertically, it cannot be repaired
It is not enough information. The X-ray image may show the level and kind of fracture. That will make it possible to create the treatment plan for restoration or extraction. The fracture of the tooth may lead to tooth extraction.
Most cracked teeth can be crowned. A crown will cover the crack and seal it. This will treat the condition over 90 percent of the time. Sometimes cracks extend down to the root. If this happens, the tooth can be hopeless and a crown will not treat the problem.
It depends on how it is cracked. If it cracks off to the side it can be saved. If it cracks down the middle of the tooth or root unfortunately even Root Canal Therapy cannot save it because bacteria will continue to have access to the inside of the root and be out of the reach of your bodies ability to prevent infections.
A cracked does not necessarily have to be extracted but it depends on what type of crack and the extent of the crack. Longitudinal crack are hard to diagnose and treatment is almost always extraction because there is usually nerve involvement. Horizontal cracks can be seen on X-ray can be treated depending on the location of the crack . Cracks that have pulpal involvement have poor prognosis with root canal and crown treatment so extraction is the preferred treatment
The only times a tooth needs to be pulled if there is a vertical fracture [the tooth is split down the middle] or severe periodontal disease. The priority is always to save your tooth. This should be your priority and the treating dentist's priority. If the tooth broke and missed the nerve you may need a crown. If it broke into the nerve you would need a root canal first and possibly a post before the crown. Whatever you do seek options in order to save your tooth!
Hi, they call me the tooth fairy because I love to save the teeth!
Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how much we want to save the tooth we can’t, one of those situations is having a vertical fracture (crack) on the root surface.
You can get a second opinion from an endodontist (specialist in the root canal therapy). Sometimes very minor cracks could be sealed by a specific cement called MTA. Now, think about it, if that tooth is saved by getting a root canal then needs a crown and even by those treatments will have guarded prognosis (basically doesn’t have a good future)
Definitely get a second opinion on that tooth. My reason is whenever you pull the tooth, there’s no way to go back, and you would always think why didn’t I get a second opinion what if I could've saved it.
It depends on what level the tooth cracked and how much of tooth structure is remaining and what the long term prognosis, it’s hard to give an opinion without doing an exam and checking on an X-ray. I am sure your dentist considered all the choices but feel free to discuss your options with him.
It depends on if there are other problems such as infection or pain while chewing. If it does not, then you can simply get a crown and possibly a root canal
Well it actually depends on how far the fracture is. If the tooth is cracked above the gumline, you can place a crown on the tooth to hold the cracked tooth together so that it does not fracture any longer. Sometimes a root canal is necessary if the crack is into the nerve of the tooth. If the fracture is to large the only treatment option is extraction. Hope this helps.
No, the tooth can't be saved because it is "cracked."
Once the tooth cracks into the area between the roots or into the orifice of one of the root canals, it is usually considered to be non-restorable. This is because when a tooth is cracked down into the root or the area between the roots, bacteria can reside in the crack and create an infection causing the PDL (the ligament that holds the tooth in bone) to break away from the tooth and this area cannot repair itself. Thus, the tooth loses its supporting structures, PDL and bone. In such cases, the best option (the Mercedes of treatment) is extraction, bone graft, and implant.
It depends on the extent of the fracture. If the tooth is not restorable, it is extracted. There is no treatment for a vertical root fracture.
Simply stated, if the crack in the tooth extend down onto the root of the tooth (below the gumline and bone) the tooth has a very poor/hopeless outcome. With modern day dental technology and techniques, the best choice is to remove the tooth.
Not every cracked tooth needs to be pulled. In some cases, a large filling or a crown can fix the crack. In some cases, the tooth may need a root canal and restoration. There are situations that the crack is so deep, or where it cannot be seen, that the tooth needs to come out. Another important consideration is how long it's worth it for you to fix a tooth. In other words, if you can fix the tooth for 3 years, is it worth it for you? Dentists are trained to always looks at the long haul, so they typically recommend treatment that will stay for the longest time. I don't think that is the only way to go, some people may want to fix things for the short-term. So, you must discuss this with your dentist. My experience is that there are
some dentists that pull teeth that could be saved (I had one come in yesterday), so I would advise you to get another opinion before you agree to remove the tooth.
It depends on the severity of the crack. If a crack propagates all the way down to the root and beyond or a tooth is split down the middle rendering it nonrestorable, than it would need an extraction.
Thank you for your question.
Not all cracked teeth need to be pulled. However, if the cracked tooth cannot been properly restored because there is not enough structure to support the restoration and keep performing all its functions, in this case, this tooth needs to be pulled.
If you have a fracture that extends into your tooth, then there is no possible way to repair that tooth. That is the reason why it would need to be extracted. However, it should be confirmed that the crack actually extends far enough into the tooth to render it non-restorable. Some cracks can be treated with root canal therapy and saved. Others may need to be restored with a full-coverage crown restoration. The only way to determine if your tooth is hopeless or can be saved is to have it evaluated by your trusted dental professional. And don't forget, you are always welcome to seek out a second opinion if you're uncertain about your first diagnosis for some reason.
If the tooth is cracked down the root, then it must be pulled. Teeth don’t mend themselves like our bones do.
A cracked tooth can be fixed as long as the crack is superficial and does not enter into the pulp chamber (nerve). If the crack goes down the length of the tooth, there is only extraction because you can't save a tooth that is cracked that badly.
Hi,

There can be several different types of cracks in a tooth. If it is above the gum line, like just the cusp is fractured off, it can be restored with a porcelain crown. But if the fracture is below the gum line or is a vertical root fracture, then the tooth has to be extracted! You would be in a lot of pain every time you chew if the fracture is vertical in the root. Sometimes the fracture is diagonal above or below the gum line, and sometimes the fracture extends into the pulp of the tooth, which can be painful!

Thanks for your inquiry,

Dr. Marcin
If a tooth cracks above the gum line, usually it can be saved.
Teeth that crack down the root, into the bone, cannot be saved because the cracked tooth: (1) cannot support a crown or filling without the restoration continually coming off (2) will be a constant source of infection as the crack leaks bacteria. There is no treatment for seriously cracked teeth other than extraction
A tooth with a crack in it does not always need to be pulled. It depends on the situation. If it has completely cracked into the bone then yes it needs to be pulled. If not you might be able to save the tooth with a crown, root canal, both or many other treatment options. Once again it depends on what exactly is going on with your tooth.
Hello,

A cracked tooth needs to pulled if it is cracked all the way through. This usually happens when a patient waits too long to fix it and it has broken all the way through. A cracked tooth can be repaired with a crown if it is caught early enough. The best way to avoid losing a tooth is to have your teeth checked every six months and have your fillings and crowns done as early as possible when they are diagnosed.
The crack most likely involves tha pulp and may not allow for root canal
It depends. If the tooth is fractured down the root and in 2 pieces, there is not much that can be done. Food will get stuck in between, the pulp will die and become infected and these problems can’t be corrected. But if the pieces are not completely separated, the tooth can be shaped for a crown after bonding the pieces together and if a temporary crown can be
fabricated around the tooth to splint it back together cleanly, a crown impression can be taken and the crown will hold the fractured parts together. If the pulp is involved, root canal can be performed after the temporary crown is made by making a hole through the chewing surface. Afterwards, the impression can be taken if the pieces can be bonded together
and the permanent crown, once placed, will hold the parts together. If the crack is at or above the gum line, a crown can be made to salvage the tooth.